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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 19 th July 2013
BESTIVAL 2013 announces THE AMPHITHEATRE theatre, talks, comedy & spoken word line-up Adding a touch of culture to Bestival’s 10th Birthday spectacular from September 5th-9th at Robin Hill Country Park, we are delighted to announce the return of our hugely popular performance stage, The Amphitheatre, set deep in the heart of the Ambient Forest. Nestled under a canopy of trees, this beautiful spot will be home to acts and performances ranging from theatre, to sketch comedy, spoken word and talks. Rob da Bank says, “Bestival has never just been about the music and over the last three years we've put huge focus on our spoken word, theatre and other worldly pursuits that don’t involve loud music and raving. 2013 will be our finest year yet, with the best performers and spoken worders out there - from Scroobius Pip and Kate Tempest to the Tongue Fu dudes, plus an incredible cinematic line-up, theatre, comedy, our unofficial mascot Howard Marks and even an on the sofa chat with jungle and drum & bass legends. If you go down to the woods today expect to be surprised - and I’ll see you in a tree hammock.” First up, we are very excited to be presenting ‘Wasted’; the debut play written by Ted Hughes Award winning poet Kate Tempest. This day-glo trip through the parks and raves and cafes of South London, is a play about life, love and losing your mind. And if theatre is your thing, you should also check out ‘The Man Who Thought The Moon Would Fall Out Of The Sky’, a real life fairytale filled with laugher, music and magic. We are also presenting ‘The Wolf’: a classic tale that adds a contemporary twist in the form of two exceptionally talented brothers and three performers. They drum; they dance; they DJ turning classics into contemporary house music. We will also be welcoming some of the leading spoken word artists in the UK, from Scroobius Pip’s Satin Lizard Lounge sessions (featuring the likes of Kate Tempest, Josh Idehen, John Osborne and Tim Clare) to Tongue Fu, Chris Redmond’s infamous poetry mash-up where spoken word is presented alongside a superb live band. We also have up and coming talent from spoken word collectives, Elephant, Early Doors, the
Roundhouse Poetry Collective and Talia Randall. We’ll be presenting some seriously funny sketch comedy, starting with Guilt & Shame: Addicted To Everything. With pumping music, crazy dance numbers and rapping transvestites, Addicted To Everything will take you on a journey of sin, redemption then right back to sin again. And, following their glorious standing ovation at The Amphitheatre in 2012, Edinburgh Fringe favourites Four Screws Loose return for their second kick-ass Bestival show, so buckle up and prepare for Screwtopia!: a world screwed with ludicrous characters, outlandish music and spontaneous dance-breaks. Plus critically acclaimed duo, That Pair, present a brand new hour of sketch, character and musical comedy with a lesson in how to be remembered fondly after you’re gone. For true life renditions, look no further than The Worst of Scottee, a brutally honest encounter with past flames, exfriends and people who no longer like him, in an attempt to find out where he went wrong. Or learn how to be a Coin Operated Girl in this tell-all comedy exposing the truth about sex workers, their clients, and all the hilarious, heart-warming and often bizarre moments in a unique career. Bestival stalwart and intrepid bon viveur Howard Marks will share with us his brand new spoken word show; ‘Scholar, Smuggler, Prisoner, Scribe’. With trademark honesty and penetrating humour, Howard will look back at four extraordinary and action packed phases of his life. And Tayo3000 will be presenting The Gentlemans’ Junglist Club - an all-inclusive society of likeminded individuals, brought together by their love of the “golden age” of jungle. Save The Male is a spoken word, comedy and music showcase, raising awareness of the male suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). The showcase aims to encourage and inspire Bestivalgoers to engage in creative expression. As night falls, we’ll be turning to the silver screen. The Amphitheatre will be transformed into a glorious cinema with live
scores from the likes of Fake Blood, DJ Woody and East India Youth with cult classics, documentaries and short films all programmed by our friends from the Branchage and London Short Film Festivals. With a theme for each night – Musical Journeys, Rapper’s Delight, Fright Night and Outsiders – Films In The Forest offers up a programme of movies that’ll move you, amuse you and in some cases terrify you. And back by popular demand, you can start your day at The Amphitheatre with a very special ‘Chill’ session of meditation or
relaxation, presented by leading experts the David Lynch Foundation. And once you have cleared your mind, why not clear your lungs with a liberating choir session? Our singing maestros Funky Little Choir will help you sing your hearts out. So if you’re looking for some food for thought in amongst the hedonistic fun, head to The Amphitheatre and soak up the erudite pleasures! Keep on checking www.Bestival.net and our Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news. And don’t forget to tag your tweets #hmsbestival.
Kate Tempest
Credit: IW Council .
David Lynch
Howard Marks
Scroobius Pip