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Favourite things
Alan Dodd, director of the North Devon Theatres Trust, shares his cultural ‘it’ list
Fringe TheatreFest
Since becoming involved in the arts in North Devon, director of North Devon Theatres’ Trust, Alan Dodd has seen the inception of many great events in the area. ‘Having run the North Devon Festival for many years, it’s great to see some fantastic legacies still going. As a charity, we at North Devon Theatres are dedicated to providing a wide set of arts experiences for everyone, and we are extremely proud to be part of them,’ he says.
FRINGE THEATREFEST
Now in its ninth year, the Barnstaple Fringe Theatrefest is a celebration of theatre in all its varied forms. The 2015 dates are Thursday, June 25 to Sunday, June 28, when 33 companies will be presenting a total of 105 performances. The Queen’s Theatre is the hub, but many other Barnstaple venues are involved. There’s everything from a pocket musical on a pre-West-End tour to a tailor-made adventure for young people in and around Barnstaple Library. ‘There is serious drama, outrageous comedy, biting satire and celebratory dance, and there are shows to appeal right across the age-range,’ says Alan. This year includes, for the first time, Story Quest – a story trail where you pick up the story from any of the Fringe TheatreFest venues and then start your adventure at St Anne’s on Paternoster Row. ‘Follow the clues and you can save the seven secret stories of Barnstaple from evildoers and aliens!’
www.theatrefest.co.uk
There is something for everyone to enjoy over the August Bank Holiday weekend at the annual Sunwest Beer and Music festival at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe. Come along, sup on a pint of one of the many real ales on offer, try some delicious food and relax as the children join in the family fun on offer outside – or simply enjoy free admission to see live performances from some of the region's best bands.
www.facebook.com/ landmarkbeerfestival
‘This year we will be co-producing Cinderella with Imagine Theatre,’ says Alan. ‘This new partnership means that the set, the costumes and the script will be bigger and better than ever before, along with a talented cast of professional actors and dancers – not forgetting our brilliant home-grown team of musicians, junior company and staff who make it such a brilliant experience. ‘Panto is often one of the first experiences a child has of the theatre and we want this to be so wonderful and spectacular that they will be inspired to come back again and again. It really is a wonderful show for all the family and a fantastic British Christmas tradition.’ Panto starts on Saturday, December 12.
