IF: Milton Keynes International Festival 2018

20–29 July

www.ifmiltonkeynes.org @IFMKfest #IFMKfest Produced by

10 Amazing Days In association with

Welcome to IF: 2018 Proud Headline Sponsor of IF: 2018 We are delighted to welcome the Festival back to centre:mk, with Middleton Hall once again transformed, this time to host the Circus Hub. Other Festival installations in centre:mk will also encourage you to pause, reflect and celebrate our award winning shopping, restaurant and café brands.

This year marks the fifth edition of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, officially recognised by the European Festivals Association as ‘one of Europe’s most remarkable festivals’.

This year, we celebrate #Circus250 – marking 250 years of circus in the UK – with five international circus companies including the UK premiere of Halka by Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger, performing in our dedicated Circus Hub in centre:mk.

There’s also a special focus on artists from The Netherlands and Australia who invite you to immerse yourself in unique and surprising events that could see you riding in a ‘dodgem’ car, appearing in a film, or seeing Milton Keynes Theatre from a completely new perspective.

There are unique late-night experiences too. For The Birds is a night-time walk in the woods exploring sound and light installations in the landscape, and the super-sized Insectes from Catalonia’s Sarruga will take over the Boulevards in a colourful parade on the Festival’s opening night.

The Festival would not be complete without the beautifully exotic and ever-popular Spiegeltent, which returns to Festival Central in Campbell Park to host the best in comedy, cabaret and live music.

Our thanks go to Arts Council England, Milton Keynes Council and our many supporters, including centre:mk for their continuing partnership as the Festival’s Headline Sponsor.

The Festival is brought to you by an extraordinary team of people, including many volunteers, who work tirelessly to make the impossible possible. My personal thanks go to everyone involved. Enjoy!

Monica Ferguson Festival Director & Chief Executive of The Stables

Keep in touch with the Festival on @IFMKfest #IFMKfest Box Office: 01908 280800 3

Festival Circus Hub Friday 20 – Sunday 29 July 10am – 5pm each day

CIRCUS HUB

Companyìa Vavel Circus: Garbuix

CIRCUS HUB

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

A 10-day programme featuring international circus and acrobatic companies to celebrate 250 years of circus in the UK: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July Companyìa Vavel Circus: Garbuix Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 July Sur Mesure: Fillage Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 July NoFit State & Motionhouse: Block Friday 27 – Sunday 29 July Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger: Halka

Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July, 11am and 3pm each day

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

£8, Under 16s £7, Universal Credit concession £5, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £28 Unreserved seating

Roll Up! Roll Up! Super Circus Show Deals for: Garbuix, Fillage, Block, Halka and Driftwood

Made up of five women from five different countries, Catalan company Vavel brings a delightful, high energy circus show.

Buy 2 shows, get 20% off Buy 3 shows, get 30% off Buy 4 shows, get 40% off Buy 5 shows, get 50% off

Garbuix is jam-packed with acrobatics, music, game playing, laughter, bicycles, a big white bear, and bags of fun and mayhem.

Discounts apply to Full Price, Under 16s and Family tickets

These highly talented performers come from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Italy and Switzerland bringing endless physical and linguistic tricks in a zany and enthralling comic circus show for all the family.

Free Curiosities Fair Intriguing games revealing The Strange Travel of Mr Tonet Special guest appearances by Betty Brawn – The Strong Lady See pages 5 – 11 for performance details and times Headline Sponsor

#Circus250

4 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 5

Sur Mesure: Fillage Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 July, 11am and 3pm each day

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

CIRCUS HUB

£8, Under 16s £7, Universal Credit concession £5, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £28 Unreserved seating

Fillage brings together musicians, instrument manufacturers, woodworkers and circus artists to combine spectacular trampolining, acrobatics and juggling with specially composed live music.

The result is a comedic, witty and daring show from this Belgian company, with musicians and acrobatic artists sharing the stage and leaping into the unknown. Great fun!

6 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

NoFit State Circus & Motionhouse: Block Wednesday 25 July, 11am and 3pm Thursday 26 July, 10am and 1pm

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

CIRCUS HUB

£8, Under 16s £7, Universal Credit concession £5, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £28 Unreserved seating

What happens when dance and circus collide?

Block is a powerful fusion of dance and circus, that pushes the limits of both art forms, using daring physicality, split-second timing and thrilling feats.

Twenty oversized blocks, fashioned to resemble giant concrete Jenga blocks, are deconstructed and reformed into an infinite variety of shapes for the performers to play on, move with and explore.

Box Office: 01908 280800 7

Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger: Halka

CIRCUS HUB

This Moroccan collective of extraordinarily skilled acrobats and musicians take audiences on a compelling journey through bustling market places, to the cafés and beaches of Tangier.

Friday 27 – Sunday 29 July, 2.30pm each day

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

Tickets £16, Under 16s £14, Universal Credit concession £10, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £56 Unreserved Seating

UK PREMIERE

Halka is the word used to describe the circle formed by crowds gathered around street performers, storytellers, acrobats and singers.

Inspired by this rich cultural heritage, the company combines traditional and contemporary acrobatics, tumbling and high-flying human pyramids to share stories with humour, and an authentic and magnetic energy.

8 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 9

Tombs Creatius Company: The Strange Travel of Mr Tonet

CIRCUS HUB

Friday 20 – Sunday 29 July, 10am – 5pm except when a show is on

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

Free

Discover the extraordinary world of Mr Tonet whose fantastical life and fascinating adventures are revealed by solving the puzzles created by the skilled makers of Catalonia’s Tombs Creatius.

Crafted from discarded objects and recycled old furniture, these ingenious games combine mechanical movement, light and sound.

Each puzzle includes a box, in each box there is a story and in each story there is a fascinating character or creature…

10 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

The Strong Lady Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July, 10.30am and 12.30pm Sunday 29 July, 12.30pm

CIRCUS HUB

Middleton Hall, centre:mk MK9 3EP

Free No ticket required Unreserved seating

The Strong Lady performs her classic street theatre show with muscle and grace, brute strength and beauty – and always with elegance.

A genuine strong woman, Australia’s Betty Brawn presents an exhilarating array of stunts. Shattering gender clichés, she tears thick books in half with her bare hands, twists solid metal, snaps steel chains and performs the Human Carousel, carrying the weight of two gigantic men.

The Strong Lady is also at Festival Central in Campbell Park on Friday 27 July at 6.30pm, Saturday 28 July at 3.50pm and Sunday 29 July at 3.20pm and 5.50pm.

Box Office: 01908 280800 11

Sarruga: Insectes + Fireworks Finale

As dusk becomes darkness, giant insects move through the streets in a largerthan-life spectacle with music and special effects from Catalan company, Sarruga.

Witness fantastical steam-breathing ants, spiders and praying mantis tower over cars and feast on trees.

Friday 20 July, 9.45pm

Central Milton Keynes.

Starts at intu (Saxon Gate side) and finishes in Campbell Park

Free

FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT

Follow the parade as it works its way to Campbell Park for a short firework finale at approximately 10.30pm.

Prepare for the insect invasion‌

See the Insectes route on page 75 and on www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Diamond Partner

12 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 13

Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama

UK PREMIERE TOUR

Dutch theatre maker and visual artist Dries Verhoeven invites you on his theatrical ‘ghost train’…

Swept along on a thought-provoking tour of today’s angst-fuelling media landscape – so flawlessly exploited by politicians, terrorists, marketers and fake news – explore our contemporary culture of fear, difference and migration, with its ever-increasing threats and paranoia.

Friday 20 – Monday 23 July and Wednesday 25 – Sunday 29 July 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm.

No 10.30pm slot on Friday 20 July

Near Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £15, Universal Credit concession £10 Suitable for ages 16+

IF you don’t believe the hype

Dries Verhoeven is a world-renowned artist who makes installations and performances highlighting the socio-political reality we live in.

Festival Supporters

14 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 15

Theater Tol: Life of Tree Belgian company Theater Tol’s Life of Tree is an installation of large-scale illuminated dresses.

UK PREMIERE

Honouring remarkable women who have made a significant contribution to history with pioneering courage, strength and intelligence, Life of Tree is a meeting place, a memorial and a resting place.

Stand under a dress and you will hear music and lyrics – an ode to the inspiring woman the dress represents.

Installation: Friday 20 – Sunday 29 July Opening times on page 34 Dance performances: Saturday 28 July, 12.10pm, 1.45pm and 3.20pm Sunday 29 July, 12.10pm, 1.45pm and 4.10pm

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

Celebrate great women with IF: 2018

Theater Tol will present a dance performance to accompany the installation on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.

16 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 17

For The Birds Immerse yourself in a night-time adventure where sound and light take flight…

For The Birds is a self-guided journey in an historic landscape transformed by light and sound installations by some of the most dynamic sound artists in the UK, including Mark Anderson, Jony Easterby, Kathy Hinde, Ulf Pedersen and Pippa Taylor.

Friday 20 – Monday 23 July and Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 July 9.15pm, 9.30pm, 9.45pm, 10pm, 10.15pm, 10.30pm, 10.45pm, 11pm

Linford Manor Park, Great Linford, nearest postcode MK14 5AX Parking off Marsh Drive

Tickets £15, Under 16s £13, Universal Credit concession £10, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £52

IF you walk on the wild side

Marvel at the beauty and poignancy of the installations – performances, projections and kinetic sculptures – that celebrate birds in song, movement and flight.

Please see page 76 and www.ifmiltonkeynes.org for visitor information

Gold Partner

18 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Photo: Nicola Easterby

Box Office: 01908 280800 19

Casus: Driftwood Driftwood is an exquisitely beautiful and dazzling display of choreography, acrobatics, trapeze and aerial stunts.

This is a circus show that will take you on a journey of explosive encounters, hidden looks and humorous discoveries reminding us that to feel is to be human and in a moment of danger, a grasping hold is survival…

Friday 20 and Saturday 21 July, 7pm Sunday 22 July, 2.30pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £21.50, Under 16s £18.50, Universal Credit £14, Family of 4 (max 2 adults) £74 Performed in the round. Unreserved seating

These phenomenal performers make up Australia’s hottest young circus company, taking this art form to a whole new level and testing the very limits of the human body with breathtaking skill, strength and bravery.

Ticket Deals Casus + The Puppini Sisters for £44 The Stage

Roll Up! Roll Up! Up to 50% off with great money saving discounts on circus shows. See page 4

20 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Casus + Brother Strut for £37.50 Casus + Mark Watson for £33.50

Box Office: 01908 280800 21

The HandleBards: Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare’s epic tale of love, hate, fate and friendship set in Verona amidst a long-running family feud.

Presented in the open air, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of charm and laughter from all-female troupe The HandleBards.

Saturday 21 July, 2pm and 6.30pm Gates open an hour before for ticket collection and picnics

Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard MK9 2ND

Free: Please book a ticket to reserve a place. See website for details

IF you like al fresco drama and dining

Why not dine in style – bring a picnic, blanket and cushions, and enjoy a drink from the pop-up bar!

22 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 23

Bicycle Bell-ero composed by Craig McLeish

NEW COMMISSION

Bicycle bells become musical instruments, cyclists become musicians, musicians become cyclists‌

Sunday 22 July Cycling from 2pm Performance at MK Rose, 3pm

Starts and finishes at the MK Rose, Campbell Park MK9 4AJ

Free

IF you want music on the move

Cycling and music come together in this unique collaboration between Milton Keynes composer Craig McLeish and dozens of cyclists who have swapped their regular bell for one crafted from a repurposed instrument.

These specially tuned bells will be played as cyclists travel routes and Redways around Campbell Park, culminating in the performance of a brand new short piece of music for massed bicycle bells at the MK Rose.

To find out about taking part and the route, see www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Festival Supporter

Part of Pedalling Culture, a Cultural Destinations Fund programme funded by Arts Council England www.pedallingculture.com

24 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 25

Schweigman& with Slagwerk Den Haag: For The Time Being

UK PREMIERE

Sunday 22 July, 4pm and 8pm Monday 23 July, 1.30pm, 4pm and 8pm

Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate MK9 3NZ

Presented in association with Milton Keynes Theatre

A playful theatre performance without words, made by Utrecht’s Schweigman& with percussion group Slagwerk Den Haag.

IF only time could stand still…

Tickets £15, Under 16s £13, Universal Credit concession £10, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £52 Suitable for ages 14+

The earth is running slower and slower, but our world is running faster and faster. Time is rushed. How can we experience time and space in the middle of this chaotic and charged environment?

Combining movement, design, light, sound and manipulation of space, Schweigman& (under the artistic direction of Boukje Schweigman) creates an experience that is at once playful, spontaneous, empowering and thought-provoking.

This is a promenade performance without seating. Please contact the Box Office in advance on 01908 280800 if you require assistance.

Producing Partner

Festival Supporter

With the support of

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Box Office: 01908 280800 27

Back to Back Theatre: The Democratic Set MK Australia’s Back to Back Theatre brings new forms of contemporary performance made by disabled artists to audiences and participants worldwide.

Filming: Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 July Screening: Friday 27 July, 7pm

Filming: Queen’s Court, centre:mk MK9 3ES

Free

Screening: See www.ifmiltonkeynes.org for details

NEW COMMISSION

The Democratic Set explores the belief that all people are, in principle, equal and should enjoy social, political and economic rights and opportunities.

Creating a short film that captures a cavalcade of live performances and screen-based video portraits, Back to Back will use a custom-made film set and work in collaboration with the people of Milton Keynes.

Commissioned by

Producing Partner

Commissioned by The Open University and produced by The Stables for IF: 2018

28 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 29

Karine Polwart & The Royal Lyceum Company: Wind Resistance Created by Karine Polwart

Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 July, 8pm

The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon MK17 8LU

Tickets £27.50

English Premiere

A compelling fable for our modern world, Wind Resistance is written and performed by multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, Karine Polwart.

IF you revel in a story with a difference The Scotsman

Every autumn, 2,500 pink-footed geese fly from Iceland and Greenland to winter at Fala Flow, a protected peat-bog south-east of Edinburgh.

From this windy plateau, Karine surveys the surrounding landscape through history, birdlore and personal memoir in a spellbinding alchemy of song and story, with potent lighting and electro-acoustic effects.

Nominated for Best New Play, Best Production, Best Director and winner of Best Music & Sound at the Critic’s Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2017.

Karine also won Folk Singer Of The Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk awards 2018 and was shortlisted for Best Actor in the Sunday Herald Culture Awards.

30 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 31

Teatro Container: La Cocina Pública

UK PREMIERE TOUR

Tuesday 24 – Sunday 29 July

Housed in a shipping container, La Cocina Pública is a mobile kitchen that brings communities together through food and dining.

West Bletchley, by The Frank Moran Centre, Melrose Avenue MK3 6PA

Places allocated to the local community

Travelling from Chile through cities and neighbourhoods in search of local recipes, aromas, practices and customs, Teatro Container will work with West Bletchley residents to share stories and food that will be enjoyed at delicious collective feasting events – with artists, storytellers, singers and musicians providing entertainment.

Silver Partner

Project Partners

If you live in West Bletchley and would like to be part of La Cocina Pública, find out more at wwww.ifmiltonkeynes.org

32 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 33

Festival Central

Friday 20 – Sunday 29 July

Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Festival Central is open to everyone – come and soak up the Festival atmosphere!

Campbell Park is the location for The Stables Spiegeltent, Vodafone Gigatent, Vagabond Cinema Dome (27 – 29 July), outdoor performances, free and family events, the Acoustic Stage, food outlets, bars and a box office.

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

IF you want Festival buzz

Festival Central Opening Times: Friday 20 July Tuesday 24 July

Saturday 28 July

3.15pm – 12 midnight

5.30pm – 11pm

Saturday 21 July

Wednesday 25 July Sunday 29July

10:45am – 12 midnight

3.15pm – 11pm

10:45am – 12.30am

10:45am – 11pm

Sunday 22 July Thursday 26 July

10:45am – 11pm

3.15pm – 11pm

Monday 23 July Friday 27 July 3.15pm – 11pm

3.15pm – 12:30am

Programme and timings may be subject to change.

For updates please check www.ifmiltonkeynes.org and social media @IFMKfest #IFMKfest

34 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 35

IF: Family Focus A feast of family-friendly shows and experiences for children and grown-ups.

Free events:

Cow Go Round

Also appearing:

The Strong Lady

An intriguing carousel operated by grown-ups. See page 38.

Exhilarating demonstrations of strength. See page 11.

Theatre of Widdershins

Ticketed events in The Spiegeltent:

Storytelling with puppets and props.

See page 39.

The Little Gardener An outdoor adventure for 2-6 year olds. See page 40.

Bootworks’ Jukeboxes

Retro jukeboxes act out classic pop.

See page 41.

Circus Hub in centre:mk:

The Strange Travel of Mr Tonet

Intriguing wooden games.

20 – 29 July. See page 10.

36 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Friday 20 – Saturday 22 July and Friday 27 – Sunday 29 July

Baby Disco Dance Hall High energy fun for under 5s.

See page 55.

Comedy Club 4 Kids & Simple Politics Fun politics for children.

See page 57.

Comedy Club 4 Kids

A real comedy club – without the rude bits. See page 58.

Plus drop-in activities at the Vodafone Gigatent in Festival Central

Box Office: 01908 280800 37

Le Théâtre de la Toupine Cow Go Round & Mooh Organ Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm both days

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

FAMILY FOCUS

An ingenious carousel of extraordinary cows cleverly crafted from wood, scrap and leather.

Whilst children aged from 2 to 6 years old get to climb onto the carousel, it only goes round if the grown-ups milk the mechanical cow that provides all the power…

The ride is accompanied by cowbell mooh-music from the wonderfully inventive Mooh Organ.

38 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Theatre of Widdershins Saturday 21 July: Treasure Chest Tales Sunday 22 July: Furry Tales 11am, 12.50pm and 2.40pm both days

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

FAMILY FOCUS

Incorporating music, puppets and audience interaction, Widdershins skilfully brings a series of magical stories to life.

Enchanting tales from across the world told with gusto to delight and entertain all ages.

Treasure Chest Tales:

Furry Tales:

Stone Soup, Granny Dumpling and The Princess and the Pea

Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and Three Billy Goats Gruff

Box Office: 01908 280800 39

How It Ended: The Little Gardener Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July 11:50am, 1.40pm, 3.30pm both days

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Bootworks: The JukeBoxes Free

FAMILY FOCUS

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July At intervals throughout both days

Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

FAMILY FOCUS

An interactive adaptation of Emily Hughes’ popular book The Little Gardener.

Watch two beautiful 1950’s Jukeboxes spring to life to re-create classic pop music videos.

Performed inside a greenhouse containing a real garden, meet the little gardener and the garden that means everything to him. Help bring his garden to life and get your hands dirty in this spellbinding show that will melt your heart.

In a lip-syncing musical medley, Bootworks’ performers use props, masks and puppets (and a terrible selection of wigs!) to animate favourite pop songs past and present.

Suitable for all, recommended for ages 2 – 6.

40 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

No disc is left unturned as Elvis, Miley Cyrus, The Spice Girls and Adele all make cameos…

Box Office: 01908 280800 41

The Stables Sessions: Acoustic Stage Sessions that put a spotlight on new sounds, emerging talent and unsigned bands.

Friday 20 – Sunday 29 July

Arabian Bar Tent, Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

Enjoy a drink and great live music in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.

Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Friday 20 July

6.15pm Hope in High Water 8.15pm Hannah’s Yard

Saturday 21 July

1.15pm Amit Dattani 2.15pm Elizabeth & Jameson 3.15pm Hannah Scott 4.15pm Pete Hemsley 5.15pm Paolo Morena 6.15pm Sian Magill 8.15pm Roses & Pirates

Sunday 22 July

12.45pm Tracey Browne 1.45pm Michelle Nadia 3.45pm Lowly Hounds 5pm Amy Claire & John Bowman 6pm Sweetcornbread 7pm Ethemia

Monday 23 July

7.15pm Candi’s Dog 8.45pm Inlak’esh

Saturday 28 July

Tuesday 24 July

6pm The Other Band 7pm Rebecca de Winter

12.45pm Navaro 1.45pm Katey Brooks 4pm Tinderbox 5pm The Hallows 6pm Dawn Iverson 7pm Harrison Bond 9.15pm Chris Fox

Wednesday 25 July

Sunday 29 July

6pm 7pm

Anna Hester Fred’s House

Thursday 26 July

6pm Jinder 7pm Natasha Seale Duo

Friday 27 July

12.45pm Joe Miles 3pm The Blackheart Orchestra 4pm Tom Korni 5pm Manny & The Coloured Sky 6pm James Burrage 7pm Steve Winch & The Inception

5.45pm Yvonne Lyon 6.45pm Amelia Lappert 9.15pm April Blue

42 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 43

The Stables Spiegeltent Festival Central Campbell Park MK9 4AD

The Spiegeltent is an exotic setting for live music, comedy and late-night cabaret.

Beautifully constructed with wood, stained glass, velvet drapes and mirrors, and complete with its own bar, this is the venue for live music, comedy and late-night cabaret.

“The domain of night owls and party chasers�

The Spiegeltent is the beating heart of the Festival, and the ideal meeting place for audiences and performers.

The Spiegeltent programme is listed on pages 46 to 59.

44 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 45

The Puppini Sisters Friday 20 July, 9pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Brother Strut Tickets £27.50 Unreserved seating, cabaret style

With impeccable retro style, The Puppini Sisters brilliantly rework modern pop as vintage swing and add zest to timeless classics.

Famed for their gorgeous and immaculate Andrews Sisters-style close harmonies, the Sisters have a legion of fans worldwide, have collaborated with Michael Bublé and have five albums under their waist-clinching belts.

Ticket Deal Buy The Puppini Sisters + Casus (page 20) for £44 Call 01908 280800

Saturday 21 July, 9pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £21 All standing/dancing with limited unreserved seating

Driven by a love of funk, blues and 1960’s/70’s soul, Brother Strut deliver unparalleled live shows.

Exciting and electric, the band is made up of some of the finest musicians around – between them they’ve notched up half a billion sales working with iconic artists including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Amy Winehouse.

Ticket Deal Buy Brother Strut + Casus (page 20) for £37.50 Call 01908 280800

“Fresh, funky and fabulous”

“Kitschy and catchy – 100% glamour!”

46 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 47

Mark Watson: This Is Half Way To Being A Show

Addictive TV: Orchestra of Samples Special Guests Evelyn Glennie & Alejandro de Valera

Sunday 22 July, 8pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £17 Unreserved seating, cabaret style

After fending off death on Bear Grylls’ Celebrity Island TV show, Mark Watson returns to what he’s best at – being indoors.

This multi-award-winning writer and TV comedy star offers witty food for thought, audience interactions and all sorts of other fun in this work-in-progress show.

“Belly laugh brilliant…the audience was weeping with laughter”

Ticket Deal Buy Mark Watson + Casus (page 20) for £33.50 Call 01908 280800

Support: Jally Kebba Susso

Monday 23 July, 8pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £22.50 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

Pioneering audio-video remixers and electronic duo Addictive TV have spent six years collaborating with musicians around the world.

The Orchestra of Samples features international artists from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Senegal, Colombia, Bhutan and across Europe ingeniously sampled and spliced together to create a digital supergroup who have never met, but play together on-screen.

This one-off musical journey without borders will feature world-famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and guitar virtuoso Alejandro de Valera.

Time out

48 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 49

CC Smugglers

Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band

Support: Emma McGrath

Support: The Black Feathers Tuesday 24 July, 7.45pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £16.50 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

With a host of headline stealing gigs across Europe, this 6-piece outfit plays great, original music with showmanship, swagger and suave.

With echoes of American folk, swing, jazz, country, ragtime and bluegrass, as well as contemporary touchstones such as hip hop, metal, dubstep, house and dancehall, nothing is off limits!

“The best live band on the scene at the moment.”

“Great live.

Just brilliant.”

Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

Wednesday 25 July, 7.45pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £25 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

Eliza first assembled the exceptional 12-piece Wayward Band in 2013 to promote her ‘best of’ compilation Wayward Daughter.

Still together, they continue to champion the vibrancy of today’s traditional music, ‘the last truly underground music scene’, with a big band and big sound.

“Brass, fiddles, the works — a bravura romp through songs old and new.”

The Guardian

Cerys Matthews, BBC 6 Music

50 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 51

Newton Faulkner + Support

Tom Allen: Absolutely Friday 27 July, 7.30pm

Thursday 26 July, 7.45pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £37.50 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

It’s just over a decade since Newton Faulkner released his debut album and became something of a household name.

Since then, he has recharged his batteries, reinvented his sound and released an astonishing genre-hopping sixth album Hit The Ground Running (2017) that is by far the best and boldest of his career.

The ultra-long dreadlocks have gone, the guitar is even better and the voice is bigger than ever. Book early!

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £14 Unreserved seating, cabaret style For ages 14+

This sharply dressed, well-spoken, disparagingly camp son of working class Bromley embarks on his debut solo tour.

A comedian, writer and actor, Tom Allen has honed his unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and riotous storytelling since starting as a stand up at 22, then winning both So You Think You’re Funny in Edinburgh and the BBC New Comedy Awards.

SOLD OUT! Call 01908 280800 for returns

“His finest work since his debut”

52 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 53

The Gilded Lili Revue Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July, 10pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Monski Mouse: Baby Disco Dance Hall Tickets £16 Unreserved seating, cabaret style For ages 16+

Ms Lili La Scala – decadent diva of vintage glamour and divine Mistress of Ceremonies – is back!

With her beloved cabaret reprobates to entertain you in these rollicking late-night shows, Lili presents her dazzling cabaret spectacular with a veritable variety smorgasbord of international comedy, burlesque, music and more. With Havana Hurricane, Elliot Mason, Pi the Mime, Scarlett Daggers – and, of course, Lili herself.

As Lili says: “Leave your inhibitions at the door and allow yourself to be transported to another world by my phenomenal acts.”

54 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Ticket Deal Gilded Lili + Tom Allen for £28 Gilded Lili + Los Pacaminos for £35 Call 01908 280800

Saturday 28 July, 2.30pm All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £8, Universal Credit concession £5, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £28 Free for babies under 6 months

Australian DJ Monski Mouse spins the discs, bringing high energy fun and smiles to under 5s and their families.

Striking a balance between anthems for the grown-ups and tracks for the children, the musical selection is a combination of fun retro dance tracks and funky nursery rhymes.

Part of the dance floor is set up with a soft furnished ‘baby area’ where non-walkers can roll around to the music too. Ms Mouse and her experienced early childhood performers lead the crowd in a warm-up and facilitate the fun.

Box Office: 01908 280800 55

Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young Saturday 28 July, 7.45pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £21 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

This cactus sharp, stetson wearing, magnificent 6 create the perfect cantina setting for a tequilafuelled rocking party night.

Fronted by Paul Young, Los Pacaminos play the very best in Tex Mex Border music with an incendiary mix of classics and original material, from The Texas Tornadoes and Ry Cooder to Los Lobos and even Roy Orbsion.

Book early!

Ticket Deal Buy Los Pacaminos + Gilded Lili for £35 Call 01908 280800

Comedy Club 4 Kids & Simple Politics: How Does This Politics Thing Work Then?

Sunday 29 July, 11.30am

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £6, Universal Credit £5 Unreserved seating Suitable for ages 7+

Politics is boring. Politics is complicated.

Politics is for adults. RUBBISH! Politics is actually super important. Luckily Tatton Spiller (Simple Politics) and Tiernan Douieb (Comedy Club 4 Kids, CBBC’s The Slammer) know exactly how to make sense of it so that it’s great fun.

You might not be able to vote yet but you have opinions and you know the world you want to see…

Ticket Deal Buy How Does Politics Work + Comedy 4 Kids for £15, Under 16s £14, Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £56 Call 01908 280800

Comedy Club 4 Kids also do a comedy show at 2pm (see page 58).

56 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 57

Ceilidh Liberation Front

Comedy Club 4 Kids Sunday 29 July, 2pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £10, Under 16s £9, Universal Credit £6, Family of 4 (max 2 adults) £36 Unreserved seating Suitable for ages 6+

The best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit do their thing for an audience of children and their families.

It’s just like a normal comedy club, but is on in the daytime, the children are welcome, it’s without the rude bits and there’s no patronising idiocy!

Comedy Club 4 Kids also do an earlier show with Simple Politics at 11.30am (see page 57)

Ticket Deal Buy Comedy 4 Kids + How Does Politics Work for £15 / Under 16s £14 / Family (4 people, max 2 adults) £56 Call 01908 280800

Sunday 29 July, 7.45pm

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Tickets £14 All standing/ dancing with limited unreserved seating

With a small army of virtuoso musicians the Ceilidh Liberation Front combines music, dance and a generous sprinkling of theatricals.

Subverting and converting the world with their energetic new ceilidh regime, this band breathes vigour and vitality into the traditional ceilidh, whilst honouring its roots and traditions with charismatic callers, uplifting tunes and cracking dances…

Bring your dancing shoes for a final fling on the last night of the Festival!

“All the fun and rowdy feel of a real comedy club” The Guardian

58 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 59

Talking Shop

Calendar of Events A guide to each day of the Festival

Arabian Tent, Festival Central, Campbell Park MK9 4AD

Free

Talks and discussions exploring different aspects of the Festival programme For The Birds

Sunday 22 July, 11.30am – 12.15pm

For The Birds artists discuss working in Milton Keynes to create a unique night-time experience. With Mark Anderson, Jony Easterby, Kathy Hinde and The Parks Trust.

Brexitarama

Monday 23 July, 5.45pm – 6.45pm

A discussion about international culture in a post-Brexit landscape. The panel will include Dries Verhoeven, creator of Phobiarama and Alison Woods of NoFit State Circus.

Open Forum

Thursday 26 July, 3.30pm – 5.30pm

An open discussion about what ‘home’ means in relation to the making of The Democratic Set in Milton Keynes.

With Back to Back Theatre, Dr Agnes Czajka (Department of Politics & International Studies, Open University) and Richard DeDomenici (artist and film-maker, IF: 2016).

In Conversation: Jenny Sealey MBE

Sunday 29 July, 11.30am – 12.15pm

Festival Director Monica Ferguson talks with Jenny Sealey, CEO/Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company which places D/deaf and disabled actors centre stage, and challenges preconceptions.

60 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Should bad weather affect the staging of outdoor events, the Festival will make every effort to reschedule or relocate the programme.

Please follow the Festival on social media @IFMKfest for updates.

All end times are approximate.

Friday 20 July 10am – 5pm 11am – 12 noon 3pm – 4pm 3.15pm – 12 midnight 3.30pm – 4.10pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 6.15pm – 7pm

6.30pm – 7.10pm 7pm – 8pm 8.15pm – 9pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9pm – 10.30pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 10.45pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Theater Tol: Life of Tree Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Hope In High Water Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Casus: Driftwood Acoustic Stage: Hannah’s Yard Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama The Puppini Sisters For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds Sarruga: Insectes For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Spiegeltent Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Spiegeltent Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park City Centre – Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park

Roll Up! Roll Up! Up to 50% off with great money saving discounts on circus shows. See page 4 Box Office: 01908 280800 61

Saturday 21 July 10am – 5pm 10.45am – 12 midnight 11am – 11.40am 11am – 12 noon 11am – 1pm 11:50am – 12:40pm 1.15pm – 2pm 12.50pm – 1.30pm 1.40pm – 2.30pm 2pm – 3.30pm 2pm – 5pm 2.15pm – 3pm

2.40pm – 3.20pm 3pm – 4pm 3.15pm – 4pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 3.30pm – 4.20pm 4.15pm – 5pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.15pm – 6pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 6.15pm – 7pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 6.30pm – 8pm 7pm – 8pm 8.15pm – 9pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9pm – 10.30pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Sunday 22 July Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Theater Tol: Life of Tree Theatre of Widdershins Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Cow Go Round & Mooh Organ The Little Gardener Acoustic Stage: Amit Dattani Theatre of Widdershins The Little Gardener HandleBards: Romeo & Juliet Cow Go Round & Mooh Organ Acoustic Stage: Elizabeth & Jameson Theatre of Widdershins Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Acoustic Stage: Hannah Scott Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama The Little Gardener Acoustic Stage: Pete Hemsley Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Paolo Morena Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Sian Magill Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama HandleBards: Romeo & Juliet Casus: Driftwood Acoustic Stage: Roses & Pirates Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Brother Strut For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds

62 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Fred Roche Gardens Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Fred Roche Gardens Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park

10am – 5pm 10.45am – 11pm 11am – 11.40am 11am – 12noon 11am – 1pm 11.30am – 12.15pm 11:50am – 12:40pm 12.45pm – 1.30pm 12.50pm – 1.30pm 1.40pm – 2.30pm 1.45pm – 2.30pm 2pm – 3.30pm 2pm – 5pm 2.30pm – 3.30pm 2.40pm – 3.20pm 3pm – 4pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 3.30pm – 4.20pm 3.45pm – 4.30pm 4pm – 5.15pm

4.30pm – 5.10pm 5pm – 5.45pm

5.30pm – 6.10pm 6pm – 6.45pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 7pm – 7.45pm 8pm – 10pm 8pm – 9.15pm

8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Middleton Hall, centre:mk Theater Tol: Life of Tree Festival Central, Campbell Park Theatre of Widdershins Festival Central, Campbell Park Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Middleton Hall, centre:mk Cow Go Round & Mooh Organ Festival Central, Campbell Park Talk: For the Birds Festival Central, Campbell Park The Little Gardener Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Tracey Browne Festival Central, Campbell Park Theatre of Widdershins Festival Central, Campbell Park The Little Gardener Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Michelle Nadia Festival Central, Campbell Park Bicycle Bell-ero City Centre – MK Rose Cow Go Round & Mooh Organ Festival Central, Campbell Park Casus: Driftwood Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Theatre of Widdershins Festival Central Companyìa Vavel: Garbuix Middleton Hall, centre:mk Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park The Little Gardener Festival Central Acoustic Stage: Lowly Hounds Festival Central, Campbell Park Schweigman&: Milton Keynes Theatre For The Time Being Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Festival Central, Campbell Park Amy Claire & John Bowman Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Sweetcornbread Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Ethemia Festival Central, Campbell Park Mark Watson Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Schweigman&: Milton Keynes Theatre For The Time Being Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park

Box Office: 01908 280800 63

Wednesday 25 July

Monday 23 July 10am – 5pm 11am – 11.35am 1.30pm – 2.45pm

3pm – 3.35pm 3.15pm – 11pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 4pm – 5.15pm

4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 5.45pm – 6.45pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 7.15pm – 8pm 8pm – 9.15pm

8pm – 10.30pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 8.45pm – 9.30pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm –11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Sur Mesure: Fillage Schweigman&: For The Time Being Sur Mesure: Fillage Theater Tol: Life of Tree Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Schweigman&: For The Time Being Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Talk: Brexitarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Candi’s Dog Schweigman&: For The Time Being Jally Kebba Susso (support) Addictive TV + Evelyn Glennie Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Inlak’esh For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Milton Keynes Theatre Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Milton Keynes Theatre Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Milton Keynes Theatre Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park

Tuesday 24 July 10am – 5pm 11am – 11.35am 3pm – 3.35pm 5.30pm – 11pm 6pm – 6.45pm 7pm – 7.45pm 7.45pm – 10.15pm

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Sur Mesure: Fillage Sur Mesure: Fillage Theater Tol: Life of Tree Acoustic Stage: The Other Band Acoustic: Rebecca de Winter Emma McGrath (support) CC Smugglers

64 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

10am – 5pm 11am – 11.40am 3pm – 3.40pm 3.15pm – 11pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 6pm – 6.45pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 7pm – 7.45pm 7.45pm – 10.15pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet NoFit State/Motionhouse: Block NoFit State/Motionhouse: Block Theater Tol: Life of Tree Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Anna Hester Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Fred’s House The Black Feathers (support) Eliza Carthy & Wayward Band Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park

Thursday 26 July 10am – 10.40am 10am – 5pm 1pm – 1.40pm 3.15pm – 11pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 3.30pm – 5.30pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 6pm – 6.45pm 7pm – 7.45pm 7.45pm – 10.15pm 8pm – 9.50pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm

NoFit State/Motionhouse: Block Middleton Hall, centre:mk Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Middleton Hall, centre:mk NoFit State/Motionhouse: Block Middleton Hall, centre:mk Theater Tol: Life of Tree Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Talk: Open Forum Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Jinder Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic: Natasha Seale Duo Festival Central, Campbell Park Newton Faulkner + Support Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Karine Polwart: Wind Resistance The Stables Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park

Box Office: 01908 280800 65

Thursday 26 July 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

For The Birds For The Birds Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama For The Birds For The Birds For The Birds

Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Campbell Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park Linford Manor Park

Friday 27 July 10am – 5pm 10.30am – 11am 12.30pm – 1pm 2.30pm – 3.30pm 3.15pm – 12.30am 3.30pm – 4.10pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 5.45pm – 6.30pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 6.30pm – 7pm 6.45pm – 7.30pm 7pm – 8pm 7.30pm – 9.15pm 8pm – 9.50pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.15pm – 10pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.30pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Middleton Hall, centre:mk The Strong Lady Middleton Hall, centre:mk The Strong Lady Middleton Hall, centre:mk Groupe Acrobatique: Halka Middleton Hall, centre:mk Theater Tol: Life of Tree Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Yvonne Lyon Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park The Strong Lady Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Amelia Lappert Festival Central, Campbell Park Back to Back: Democratic Set MK Venue TBC, see website Tom Allen: Absolutely Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Karine Polwart: Wind Resistance The Stables Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: April Blue Festival Central, Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park The Gilded Lili Revue Spiegeltent, Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park

Saturday 28 July 10am – 5pm 10.30am – 11am 10.45am – 12.30am 11am – 11.10am

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet The Strong Lady Theater Tol: Life of Tree Bootworks: Jukeboxes

66 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park

11.15am – 11.25am 11.30am – 11.40am 11.45am – 11:55pm 12:10pm – 12.30pm 12.30pm – 1pm 12:40pm – 12.50pm 12.45pm – 1.30pm 12:55pm – 1.05pm 1.10pm – 1.20pm 1.25pm – 1.35pm 1.45pm – 2.05pm 1.45pm – 2.30pm 2.15pm – 2.25pm 2.30pm – 2.40pm 2.30pm – 3.20pm 2.30pm – 3.30pm 2.45pm – 2.55pm 3pm – 3.10pm 3.20pm – 3.40pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 3.50pm – 4.20pm 4pm – 4.45pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5pm – 5.45pm 5.30pm – 6.10pm 6pm – 6.45pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 7pm – 7.45pm 7.45pm – 9.15pm 8pm – 9.50pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.15pm – 10pm 9.15pm – 10.35pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 9.30pm – 10.50pm 9.45pm – 11.05pm 10pm – 11.20pm 10pm – 11.30pm 10.15pm – 11.35pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm 10.30pm – 11.50pm 10.45pm – 12.05am 11pm – 12.20am

Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Life of Tree Dance Performance Festival Central, Campbell Park The Strong Lady Middleton Hall, centre:mk Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Navaro Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Life of Tree Dance Performance Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Katey Brooks Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Monski Mouse: Baby Disco Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Groupe Acrobatique: Halka Middleton Hall, centre:mk Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Bootworks: Jukeboxes Festival Central, Campbell Park Life of Tree Dance Performance Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park The Strong Lady Festival Central, Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Tinderbox Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: The Hallows Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Dawn Iverson Festival Central, Campbell Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Harrison Bond Festival Central, Campbell Park Los Pacaminos feat. Paul Young Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Karine Polwart: Wind Resistance The Stables Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park Acoustic Stage: Chris Fox Festival Central, Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park The Gilded Lili Revue Spiegeltent, Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Campbell Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park For The Birds Linford Manor Park

Box Office: 01908 280800 67

Sunday 29 July 10am – 5pm 10.45am – 11pm 11am – 11.10am 11.15am – 11.25am 11.30am – 11.40am 11.30am – 12.15pm 11:30am – 12:30pm 11.45am – 12:00pm 12:10pm – 12.30pm 12.30pm – 1pm 12:40pm – 12.50pm 12.45pm – 1.30pm 12:55pm – 1.05pm 1.10pm – 1.20pm 1.25pm – 1.35pm 1.45pm – 2.05pm 2pm – 3pm 2.15pm – 2.25pm 2.30pm – 2.40pm 2.30pm – 3.30pm 2.45pm – 2.55pm 3pm – 3.10pm 3pm – 3.45pm

3.20pm – 3.50pm 3.30pm – 4.10pm 4pm – 4.45pm 4.10pm – 4.30pm 4.30pm – 5.10pm 5pm – 5.45pm

5.30pm – 6.10pm 5.50pm – 6.20pm 6pm – 6.45pm 6.30pm – 7.10pm 7pm – 7.45pm

7.45pm – 9.45pm 8.30pm – 9.10pm 9.30pm – 10.10pm 10.30pm – 11.10pm

Tombs Creatius Co: Mr Tonet Theatre Tol: Life of Tree Bootworks; Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Talk: Jenny Sealey Simple Politics 4 Kids Bootworks: Jukeboxes Life of Tree Dance Performance The Strong Lady Bootworks: Jukeboxes Acoustic Stage: Joe Miles Bootworks: Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Life of Tree Dance Performance Comedy Club 4 Kids Bootworks: Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Groupe Acrobatique: Halka Bootworks: Jukeboxes Bootworks: Jukeboxes Acoustic Stage: The Blackheart Orchestra The Strong Lady Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Tom Korni Life of Tree Dance Performance Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Manny & The Coloured Sky Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama The Strong Lady Acoustic Stage: James Burrage Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Acoustic Stage: Steve Winch & The Inception Ceilidh Liberation Front Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama Dries Verhoeven: Phobiarama

68 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Middleton Hall, centre:mk Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park

World Picnic 2018 Presented by The Parks Trust Sunday 29 July, 1pm – 6pm

Campbell Park

Free

Revel in this glorious community celebration of multicultural music and dance.

Set in the lush green surroundings of the meadow area in the heart of Campbell Park, World Picnic includes a wealth of entertainment.

Bring a picnic or sample food from one of the many stalls, and dine al fresco with friends and family.

Watch out for the quirky Chez Jopie mobile jazz bar by Delinus from the Netherlands, presented by the Festival to complement the afternoon’s activities.

ASSOCIATED EVENT

Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Campbell Park Festival Central, Campbell Park Spiegeltent, Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park Campbell Park

Box Office: 01908 280800 69

Booking Tickets Online 24 Hours: www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Booking Tickets Online 24 Hours: www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

THE STABLES BOX OFFICE: OPENING HOURS

CONCESSIONS AND DISCOUNTS:

onday to Saturday 10am – 6pm (until 8pm on show nights) M Sunday 5pm – 8pm (Stables show nights only) In person: The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU Telephone: 01908 280800 Textphone users: 18001 01908 280800

BOX OFFICES AT FESTIVAL SITES From Friday 20 to Sunday 29 July FESTIVAL CENTRAL AT CAMPBELL PARK, MK9 4AD:

ll discounts and concessions are offered subject to availability on a limited A allocation basis and vary according to individual events Discounts cannot be combined with other offers, or applied retrospectively, and can be withdrawn at any time Concessions are available where stated on individual events for people in receipt of Universal Credit and those aged 16 and under If you have special assistance requirements or, need to bring an accompanying carer or assistant, please contact the Box Office on 01908 280800 BOOKING AND HANDLING CHARGES: ookings are subject to a handling charge of £3 B There is an additional booking fee of £1.80 per ticket for online bookings

The Box Office closes approximately 15 minutes after the last show of the day starts.

Certain shows are exempt from the additional online booking fee of £1.80 per ticket. Applies to: Circus Hub events in Middleton Hall (Garbuix, Fillage, Block and Halka), Phobiarama in Campbell Park, For The Birds at Linford Manor Park, and Monski Mouse, Simple Politics and Comedy 4 Kids in The Spiegeltent. If any other event is booked at the same time, then the booking fee of £1.80 applies for those events.

MIDDLETON HALL, CENTRE:MK:

LATECOMERS:

9.30am – 5pm each day

Latecomers may be admitted at a suitable break in the performance for most events, however this is at the discretion of the Festival. No latecomers can be admitted for Phobiarama and For The Time Being.

onday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays: From 3.15pm M Tuesday 24 July: From 5.30pm Saturday and Sundays: From 10.45am

POP-UP EVENT BOX OFFICES: Open for the following events to serve walk-up customers: or The Birds in Linford Manor Park, Great Linford, MK14 5AX at 8.45pm F each day HandleBards in Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 2ND: 60 minutes prior to each performance For The Time Being at Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate MK9 3NZ: 30 minutes prior to each performance

70 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

TICKET SALES: IF: Milton Keynes International Festival Box Offices are managed and operated

by The Stables Theatre Limited. All tickets are sold subject to Terms and Conditions, available at www.thestables.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 71

Central Milton Keynes Festival Locations SAX

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1. Fred Roche Gardens: 406 Silbury Boulevard MK9 2ND

8. Milton Keynes Rose MK9 4AJ 9. Phobiarama by Dries Verhoeven

D. V L centre:mk: Enter via Door 5 North on Silbury Arcade 3. Queen’s B Court, or Door 6 South on Midsummer Arcade (both Borough Walk), MK9 3ES Y R 4. U Middleton Hall, centre:mk: (shopping centre): Enter via Doors 11 or B 13 North on Silbury Arcade and 12 or 14 South on Midsummer Arcade, SIL MK9 3EP 5. Box Office & Information: Middleton Hall, centre:mk

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6. Milton Keynes Theatre: 500 Marlborough Gate MK9 3NZ 7. Campbell Park: MK9 4AD (for Sat Nav and parking use MK9 3NZ)

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10. Box Office & Information 11. Arabian Bar Tent and Acoustic Stage 12. The Stables Spiegeltent 13. Vodafone Gigatent 14. Vagabond Cinema Dome Key: Toilets

The Stables: Stockwell Lane, Wavendon MK17 8LU Linford Manor Park: Great Linford, nearest postcode MK14 5AX

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2. intu Milton Keynes (shopping centre): Saxon Gate East MK9 3DX Insectes parade starts here

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Blue Badge Entrance and Drop-off Point Box Office: 01908 280800 73

Event and Site Information FESTIVAL CENTRAL: CAMPBELL PARK MK9 4AD CAR PARKING: Available in City Centre car parks. Limited Blue Badge parking available at Festival Central, off Avebury Boulevard (opposite Columbia Place), with the nearest drop-off point also here.

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CYCLE PARKING: Available in the City and at Festival Central, as well as at other Festival sites, including Fred Roche Gardens and Linford Manor Park.

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BY BUS: Please visit the Arriva bus website www.arrivabus.co.uk/MK

THE SPIEGELTENT: Accessible to wheelchair users with ramped access into the venue and onto the dance floor. Where events are billed as ‘all standing/dancing with limited unreserved seating’ please seek advice from the Box Office on 01908 280800 at time of booking if you have specific mobility requirements. The Spiegeltent has an infra-red induction loop system.

ACOUSTIC STAGE: Has an infra-red induction loop system.

PHOBIARAMA: CAMPBELL PARK MK9 4AD This event takes place in a non-theatrical venue and is not fully accessible to those with access requirements. For guidance, please contact the Box Office on 01908 280800.

FRED ROCHE GARDENS very effort will be made to create level access on-site with additional temporary trackways E Accessible toilets will be available

CAMPBELL PARK & FRED ROCHE GARDENS o pets please, only registered assistance dogs are permitted N Camping and BBQs are not permitted No glass bottles or alcohol purchased off-site are permitted on-site.

Alcohol purchased at Festival Central is not permitted into the wider Campbell Park area Festival Stewards, First Aiders and other services are on site to help you – please approach them if you have any questions. Stay safe, be sensible – enjoy your visit!

The Festival aims to be as accessible as possible and welcomes disabled people. Unfortunately, it is not possible to meet every requirement in all circumstances due to the nature of events and locations. Please contact the Box Office for further information on 01908 280800 or textphone 18001 01908 280800.

By entering Festival sites, you agree to adhere to these guidelines. Information in this brochure is correct at time of going to print. The Festival reserves the right to make alterations if necessary.

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ACCESS: There is a good network of all-weather paths in the Park with additional temporary trackways in and around Festival Central. Every effort will be made to create level access on-site. Accessible toilets are located in Festival Central.

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ON FOOT: Campbell Park lies at the far east end of centre:mk, linked to the shopping centre and theatre district by footbridges and via the underpass near Milton Keynes Theatre and MK Gallery.

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Sarruga’s giant Insectes parade culminates in a firework finale in Campbell Park. See page 12.

START: The parade will start at 9.45pm from the Saxon Gate East side of intu Milton Keynes MK9 3DX. ROUTE: The parade will move along Saxon Gate then up Avebury Boulevard to enter Festival Central in Campbell Park via the entrance opposite Columbia Place.

FIREWORK FINALE: A short firework finale will commence at approximately 10.30pm in Campbell Park.

VIEWING: Position yourself at any point along the route. You are encouraged to follow the parade to its finale in Campbell Park.

ROAD CLOSURES: The following roads will be closed from 9.15pm to 11pm:

S axon Gate between Midsummer Boulevard and Childs Way S ecklow Gate between Midsummer Boulevard and Childs Way M arlborough Gate between Midsummer and Avebury Boulevard A vebury Boulevard between Saxon Gate and Enmore Gate Please note that the route may be subject to change.

Check www.ifmiltonkeynes.org and @IFMKfest #IFMKfest on social media.

Box Office: 01908 280800 75

For The Birds: Linford Manor Park

For The Birds: Linford Manor Park

GREAT LINFORD, MILTON KEYNES MK14 5AX

GREAT LINFORD, MILTON KEYNES MK14 5AX

To make your experience as safe and enjoyable as possible, please see www.ifmiltonkeynes.org for full details.

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Accessible tours are being planned. To find out more or to ask any questions about the accessibility of the route, please call 01908 280800.

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his is a self-guided outdoor promenade through the woods at night T Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, flat shoes suitable for walking There will be uneven terrain, sloping ground and narrow gaps along the route.

Please note that it may be muddy and slippery when wet The route is not suitable for buggies, bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs Dogs are not permitted, with the exception of access dogs The event will go ahead in bad weather. Watch the Festival’s Facebook page and Twitter feed @IFMKfest for updates

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AT THE EVENT It will take about 80 minutes to complete the experience walking at an average pace Please minimise use of mobile phones as they are bright and can be distracting.

Photography is permitted, however flashes and tripods are not Some installations may contain flashing lights, strobe and smoke Your eyes will quickly adjust to the lighting levels, please try not to use torches.

If it is necessary for you to use a torch, please shine it at the ground, and not at the installations or at other visitors Please keep conversations at a low level so as not to disturb others’ enjoyment.

If bringing children, please be responsible for them and ensure they abide by safety instructions There will be portable toilets including accessible toilets at the event site A selection of hot and cold drinks will be available to purchase For The Birds is a family-friendly installation and the Festival reserves the right of admission People who are inebriated, causing nuisance or unreasonable disturbance may be refused entry or removed from the site

ARRIVAL: Please arrive and be ready to start your experience no more than 15 minutes before the start of your time slot.

PARKING: Available at Marsh Drive Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5AX. From here there is a 10 minute walk along a level walkway to the main site.

BLUE BADGE PARKING: Limited Blue Badge parking is available at Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5DZ. From here it is a few minutes down a gentle slope to the main site entrance.

Key: Marsh Drive Parking Blue Badge Parking at Parklands Box Office Toilets, including Accessible Toilets

76 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 77

Vagabond Film Festival Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 July

Cinema Dome in Festival Central, Campbell Park

Tickets 01908 280800 or from Festival Box Offices

Floating Cinema, MK Gallery, 12th Street, centre:mk

Buy ÂŁ10 Vagabond Pass for concessionary priced tickets

Vagabond is dedicated to championing film and filmmaking talent in Milton Keynes Special Events . Exclusive Previews . International Films .

Archive . Animation . Workshops . Talks . Q&As .

48-Hour Film-making Challenge More information: www.vagabond.org.uk

IF: 2018 Partners IF: 2018 extends thanks to the many individuals, organisations and companies, staff and volunteers who work to make the Festival a success.

Produced by

Public Sector Partners

Headline Sponsor

Diamond Partner

Gold Partners

Silver Partner

Festival Supporters

Producing Partners

Festival Suppliers

ASSOCIATED EVENT

Media Partners

Presented with the support of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, MK Gallery and MK College Funding from Arts Council England, BFI Film Audience Network, Milton Keynes Council and MK Gallery Produced by Independent Cinema Milton Keynes (ICMK) Ltd charity number: 1149744

78 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Innovation Founders: Pioneer: Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Jim & Tessa Rice Adventurers: Robert & Angela French, Steve & Ruth Hasson Explorers: Hazel Coomber, Pam Gosal, Peter Hall & Mary Hartley, Bob & Marion Hill, Colin & Jacky Scott, Lord & Lady Scott, John & Francesca Skelton, Milly Soames DL

Box Office: 01908 280800 79

20–29 July

www.ifmiltonkeynes.org @IFMKfest #IFMKfest Produced by

80 www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

10 Amazing Days In association with