Chairman’s Welcome
Welcome to the twenty-first Tenby Arts Festival. We have tried to bring you our usual diverse programme covering all aspects of the Arts. From the rumbustious Carlo Curley to an expert on sea weed we think we have something for everyone.
There are two out-standing one man shows: Richard Elfyn portrays Lloyd George, aptly titled, The Wizard, the Goat and the Man that Won the War. Jenny Coverack tells the fascinating life story of Kathleen Scott who was married to Scott of the Antarctic.
The Queen’s diamond jubilee could not go unmarked so we have a special celebration of music from Elizabeth to Elizabeth.
We nearly always have a solo pianist and this year it will be Young Choon Park. This is her third visit to the Tenby Arts festival, she gave her first recital when she was seven years old and went on to study music at the Juilliard School in New York.
Our finale on the last Saturday is the baroque quartet Red Priest, so-called after the Italian priest and composer Vivaldi.
Coming to a Welsh festival would not be complete without a male voice choir. Our own Tenby male choir never fails to fill the church and has performed in all twenty-one festivals. This year we also have a visiting choir from Haydock.
The talks during festival week are always popular, Paul Griffiths, former music critic of the Times, will be talking on Tenby writers, Graham Hadlow on Art, Josephine Hammond on Adelina Patti and Geoffrey Drew on Dylan Thomas
The writing competition has been exceptionally well supported with entries from far and wide for both the prose and poetry.
The year has seen a number of changes, there have been the sad losses of two members of our committee and a reshuffle of roles for others.
Youth is playing a larger part than usual.
The first Saturday has the final round of Tenby’s Got Talent and there is a very special troupe of dancers coming from London called the Larondina Dance company; these young people have overcome their Down’s Syndrome disability and show themselves capable of quite amazing performance.
The last Saturday is a platform for the winner of the Gregynog young musicians competition which was held at the end of March..
The week is packed with vibrant events so come and enjoy Tenby at Festival time and don’t forget to make a note of the dates for the Festival in 2013
Rosemary Rhys Davies
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