THERE’S plenty of reason to celebrate at Warwick Arts Centre this summer.
The Warwick Music Festival represents the cultural centrepiece of the University of Warwick’s 50th birthday
celebrations and will take place over three nights (May 21 to 23) featuring some of the world’s best musicians, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading and Scottish electro-popsters Django Django.
And the Coull Quartet, artists in residence at the University, will present a special commission from Joe Cutler in celebration of both the University’s 50th and the arts centre’s own 40th anniversary.
The Warwick Family Day also returns on on Sunday May 31 – a celebration of the start of summer for the whole family, with theatre, games, sports, films, crafts, food and more.
The arts centre has become a main stop for many of the country’s top comics, and the summer season is no exception, with the likes of Have I Got New For You star Paul Merton, dry-witted American Reginald D Hunter, Dylan Moran of Black Books fame, and Chatty-man Alan Carr, are among those looking to raise a chuckle or two.
On the popular music front, there’s appearances by everyone from Irish songsmith Christy Moore, to a band from Mexico City reinvent Morrissey’s songs in Mexrrissey.
Classical music fans are well catered for, with concerts by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic, and English Touring Opera presenting La Bohème.
On stage The Deranged Marriage, the smash hit musical from Rifco, returns with big dance numbers, sparkling saris and a
forbidden love stor, while young acrobats Barely Methodical Troupe celebrate all things blokey in circus show Bromance.
There’s also plenty for families, from zany Aliens Love Underpants, to the chance to get up close and personal with teeth-gnashing giants and cute baby dinos in the Dinosaur Zoo.
There will also be a debate between physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox and classicist and writer Dr Michael Scott as part of the University’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
Visit www.warwickartscentre.co.uk for full details of the summer programme.
Joan Armatrading will be helping celebrate Warwick University’s 50th birthday. (s)
