The fates smiled benignly on the Island Festival on the first Saturday in July- the weather was really lovely and very hot - the setting was idyllic - the cream of Elton high society attended with their picnic hampers and champagne - about 160 of them - a pretty sophisticated theatre-going audience which made it all the more gratifying that the performances went so well.
Sarah and her friend from Laban did two very beautiful contemporary dances. The students were stunning - very professional - the dramatic performances, lasting for an hour and a half, ranged from farce to Shakespeare and Edward Albee - a couple of risque monologues , there were long periods of dialogue and you couldn't hear a pin drop - it was my fear that people would get bored and start chatting among themselves but not a bit of it. Paul, Alison, Joan, made it up there. Bill Cullen was magnificent as guest of honour in his Toad costume, Jo's organisation was fantastic. The band and the singers rehearsed by Steve were excellent - lots of blues (Paul W on harmonica and Eric Clapton's guitarist on bass), jazz, classical and a ten minute rendition of Nina Simone's 'Sinnerman' ending with an unexpected firework clandestinely ignited with impeccable timing down by the river bank, apparently startling one unsuspecting lady who had retired to the bushes out of her wits!
£695 was raised for Macmillan
You can find a very good review of the Festival by going to Google and then to Stamford Mercury - then search = 'Island festival" to see the review or use this link http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/reviews/Island-Festival-success.5478665.jp
which should work
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