St Albans Festival 2012 animated the streets and brought to life the heritage of the city and district in spectacular style. Thousands of Festival goers came to enjoy all that the 2012 St Albans Festival programme has to offer – and they were not disappointed.
The final Festival weekend saw residents and visitors play starring roles as they joined in the street entertainment with the frantic Film Krew re-creating old film classics.
Story Bus on Saturday 30 June and Roamin’ on Sunday 1 July were both sold out events.
Children of all ages climbed aboard the Story Bus in Market Place for a magical ride to story land. Storyteller, Kathryn Holt, told tales of old St Albans, from buried Roman treasures to runaway market cows.
History was bought to life by the thought provoking piece of theatre Roamin’, from Trestle Arts Base. Inspired by the artefacts from Verulamium Museum, this outstanding piece of contemporary theatre was a fitting finale to this year’s Festival.
There was music, dancing, glamour and cakes galore at the Tea Dance in the city centre on Sunday 1 July. On Saturday 30 June the Silly Olympics were a hit with young families, bringing crowds to Christopher Place.
The Festival programme was a diverse line up of professional and community performances, most of them free of charge.
Despite the on-off rain, St Peter’s Street has been bathed in summer shades with the beautiful giant tulips lining the main street.
Highlight events
The opening weekend of the Festival set the tone with a vibrant performance of The Emperor and the Tiger. The show featured a striking giant tiger, parading drummers and carnival dancers. The climax of the evening was a dramatic fireworks display from the roof of the Old Town Hall.
The Heliosphere was a soaring success. Thousands of people came to see the graceful aerial artist performing under a giant helium balloon.
The majestic Fire Garden by Walk the Plank transformed the Vintry Gardens with their beautiful installation of magnificent fire sculptures, animated by live music.
Cambridge Touring Theatre’s performances of Sword in the Stone were a big hit with families in Rothamsted Park.
The city centre was bought to life each weekend by the fantastic Festival street performers.
Amongst other performances during the Festival were the Abbey Theatre’s production of Joe Orton’s Loot, a master piece of black farce. Jazz on a Summer’s Evening from Fansofstan, and New Shorts: an Evening of New Writing and Across the Pond from Ovo appeared at the Maltings Arts Theatre. There was music from St Albans Symphony Orchestra, St Albans Chamber Opera, and the St Albans Folk Festival. The St Albans choral community came together for the Big Sing in the city.
Cllr Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at St Albans City and District, said: “This year’s Festival attracted thousands of people to the city and the wider district and was a powerful reminder of what can be done when people work together. Alongside the professional arts programme there was dance, theatre, music, dramatic spectacles, street artists, community events, larks in our parks, fireworks and an all round carnival atmosphere. I had a wonderful time and the feedback I have been getting is that others did too. Well done to everyone involved”.
St Albans Folk Festival continues until Friday 6 July.
Councillor contact:
Cllr Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at St Albans City and District Council, Tel: 07956 220264
Contact for the Media:
Claire Wainwright, Principal Communications and Marketing Officer, St Albans City and District Council, Tel: 01727 819572, E-mail: claire.wainwright@stalbans.gov.uk