Press Release: Brass, Brezhnev and the Bard lined up for this year’s Prescot Festival

A world-ranking brass band, a celebrated cathedral choir and a screening of a classic Scouse drama are among the highlights of a Merseyside arts festival this June.

Regional no. 3-ranking Leyland Brass Band opens the 10-day Prescot Festival programme on Friday 16 June, with the world-renowned Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir making its festival debut the following day.

The week continues with events that include the 1985 Liverpool-set film Letter to Brezhnev, starring Margi Clarke and Alfred Molina, on Tuesday 20 June and the swinging sound of the Phil Shotton Big Band on Friday 23 June.

To mark the first birthday of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, the theatre’s chief executive and its creative director will be in conversation on Saturday 24 June in the venue’s own Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, and the proceedings come to a close with a return appearance from South Liverpool Orchestra on Sunday 25 June.

Organist and pianist James Luxton, ceilidh band Two left Feet and Wirral-based musical theatre company BOST are all on this year’s lineup, along with musical showcases for the choral and instrumental talents of local primary school students.

‘On the cusp of almost two decades of the Prescot Festival, it remains an incredible joy and an honour to be able to offer this annual celebration of community music-making and local artistic talent,’ said artistic director Dr Robert Howard.

‘We look forward to several firsts this year, not least a collaboration with the pioneering Shakespeare North Playhouse and a much-anticipated appearance from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir, an ensemble that enjoys an international reputation.’

Festival-goers also have the opportunity to play a part themselves, by joining a Come-&-Sing choir for a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria on 17 June, competing in the 2023 Prescot Festival Short Story Competition or sharing their artwork online in the Prescot Festival Community Art Display.

The 19th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 16 to Sunday 25 June. Tickets go on sale on 1 May from Poco Bar & Cafe at 30 Eccleston Street, L34 5QJ (cash only) or online at prescotfestival.co.uk. Please note that tickets for 24 June’s Shakespeare North Playhouse event are available exclusively from the theatre itself, in person or online at shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk.

Full programme details are also online at prescotfestival.co.uk.

ENDS

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