HighTide Festival 2015 I 10 - 20 Sept I Aldeburgh, Suffolk

World premieres, touring productions, Soho Theatre comedy nights, music, readings,

workshops and our Young People’s Academy

an exceptional Festival devoted to new works (The Guardian)

that powerhouse of new writing whose

annual Festival brings a roster

of high-quality theatre to Suffolk

(The Observer)

Black tint 30%

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Pantone 2934-colour process:100%Cyan57% Magenta. 2% Black

Pantone 2834-colour process:35% Cyan9% Magenta

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Logo strip. Where the logo appears on a blue strip of pantone 293, there must be equal space fromtop of strip to top of logo and bottom of logo to bottom of strip. Artwork here shows 5mm

Fidelio Charitable Trust, Martin Bowley Charitable Trust, Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation, Scarfe Charitable Trust

Box Office: 01603 598606 www.hightide.org.uk

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The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is an international leader for professional theatre and performance-related training. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses include:

> BA (Hons) Writing for Performance> MA Writing for Stage and

Broadcast Media> MA Creative Producing> MA Advanced Theatre Practice> MA Theatre Studies.

Discover,

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and Create

at Central

Visit website for full course listing: www.cssd.ac.uk/hightide

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WelcomeThis season explores new beginnings; a theme that links four very different world premieres.

Starting on the coast in Southend-on-Sea, So Here We Are by Luke Norris is a big ensemble comedy drama about entering adulthood. It has won the prestigious Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and following its Suffolk premiere we transfer the show to the world famous Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Staying on the coast, our next play links austerity politics in Yorkshire and the Italian island of Lampedusa. Anders Lustgarten is described by The Guardian as the most internationally minded dramatist working in Britain today, and Lampedusa opened to critical acclaim at Soho Theatre earlier this year ahead of its HighTide transfer.

E V Crowe is the outstanding playwright of Hero and Kin at the Royal Court. Her latest play, BRENDA, is a bold theatrical development to Emma’s playwriting as she flexes her considerable dramatic muscles with a truly inventive play. The production is helmed by Caitlin McLeod, who is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting new directors around, not least following her production And I and Silence for New York’s Signature Theatre. And Al Smith’s challenging and charged marriage-play Harrogate completes the Festival line-up. We’re delighted to welcome back its director Richard Twyman, who directed Ditch for HighTide in 2010 in a co-production with Kevin Spacey’s Old Vic Theatre.

This is an exciting line up, building upon a bumper year last year including peddling, which went on to acclaim

in London and New York, Nick Payne’s Incognito and Michael Boyd’s production of The Big Meal. I hope you see all four productions. Based on past form, the shows and their writers are on an exciting artistic journey. Please give them a warm HighTide start.

For our first Festival in Aldeburgh we’re delighted to present some world-famous artists alongside our new plays. Don’t miss your chance to attend intimate talks with actors Christopher Eccleston and Meera Syal, and the former Director of the National Theatre, Sir Richard Eyre. And the legendary Vanessa Redgrave will be in a special event of readings and reminisces. There’s a wide range of high-quality art throughout the Festival, from play readings, live music, touring theatre, workshops and comedy. Do be adventurous. No two Festival events are the same.

It takes many people to create the HighTide Festival and I offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to making this inaugural year in Aldeburgh possible. And in particular I’d like to thank all those who made eight years in Halesworth such a success and we’re grateful for your continued support as the Festival develops. I hope you join us again in Aldeburgh next September for a very special tenth anniversary Festival.

Steven Atkinson Artistic Director HighTide Festival Theatre

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is an international leader for professional theatre and performance-related training. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses include:

> BA (Hons) Writing for Performance> MA Writing for Stage and

Broadcast Media> MA Creative Producing> MA Advanced Theatre Practice> MA Theatre Studies.

Discover,

Produce

and Create

at Central

Visit website for full course listing: www.cssd.ac.uk/hightide

CSSDLondon

TO THE NINTH HIGHTIDE FESTIVAL

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HighTide Festival Theatre: Exceptional New Theatre

HighTide is one of the UK’s leading producers of new plays. We read over 1000 plays a year so as to discover, produce and champion emerging playwrights. We produce an annual programme of life-enhancing work from small-scale readings to workshops to full-scale productions, which we hope speak to our audiences regionally, nationally and internationally. We consider ourselves the National New Writing Development Organisation for the South East, developing the craft of emerging playwrights from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds.

HighTide has worked with a shimmering array of playwrights which include: Lydia Adetunji, Luke Barnes, Adam Brace, Stephen Belber, Lucy Caldwell, Serge Cartwright, Elinor Cook, Vickie Donoghue, Chris Dunkley, Thomas Eccleshare, Declan Greene, Sir David Hare, Ella Hickson, Branden Jacob-Jenkins, Dan LeFranc, Richard Marsh, Harry Melling, Andrew Motion, Nick Payne, Phil Porter, Beth Steel, Jack Thorne, Jesse Weaver and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. We produce several productions a year in our annual Suffolk Festival and on tour.

In our last eight years we have staged a multitude of productions with some of the world’s leading theatres including: Ambassador Theatre Group/West End (2011); Arcola Theatre (2015); Bush Theatre (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015); Chichester Festival Theatre (2015); Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (2013); Edinburgh Festival (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014); The Garage, Norwich (2013, 2014); Gulbenkian, Canterbury (2013); Latitude Festival (2012); Mercury Theatre, Colchester (2012); National Theatre (2009); North Wall, Oxford (2013, 2014); Nuffield Theatre, Southampton (2012, 2013); Old Vic Theatre (2010); Quarterhouse, Folkestone

(2013); Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester (2015); Soho Theatre (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015); Theatre Royal, Bath (2014); VAULT Festival, London (2015); Watford Palace Theatre (2012, 2013); internationally at the Australian National Play Festival (2010) and off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters, New York City (2014).

At HighTide we’re proud of our work with young people which, in the last year, has included: twelve writers’ workshops across the UK in collaboration with IdeasTap; four free workshops for schools in Suffolk; working with Aldeburgh Music’s Celebration Festival delivering drop-in sessions for teachers; producing our Writer and Performer Academy for young people in association with Chichester Festival Theatre; offering a range of placements within the Festival team for emerging artists and arts graduates; offering 500 sponsored tickets to young people in the Eastern Region to attend the Festival; working with Kids Company’s Urban Academy to provide mentoring and support for young people on their playwriting course.

Lansons host our administrative offices, in-kind, within their Clerkenwell offices and support HighTide year on year as part of an award-winning relationship. Our innovative partnership has won: 6 Corporate Engagement Awards, a Social Impact Award, three Arts and Business award nominations, and has been profiled by The Guardian and The Evening Standard.

All information in this publication is correct at the time of going to print.

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HighTide 2015January 2015 started with a bang when we produced 12 writers’ workshops in association with IdeasTap. Workshops were held at: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield; New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich; Oxford Playhouse; Northern Stage, Newcastle; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and Bristol Old Vic. We worked with over 300 emerging writers and gave 3 of them the chance to come to London and take part in a bootcamp with Will Wrightson and Steven Atkinson culminating in having their plays read by professional actors. In February we produced Vinay Patel’s True Brits as a co-production with Rich Mason Productions at VAULT Festival in London. Humorous, thought provoking, bittersweet and unsettling (British Theatre Guide on True Brits). In March we produced Harry Melling’s hit show peddling at Arcola Theatre, directed by Steven Atkinson. Having already received rave reviews at HighTide 2014 and in New York, the piece also proved a success in London. Exciting, unique and memorable wwww (The Times on peddling). As spring sprung we were proud to co-produce our Young Writers’ Academy with Chichester Festival Theatre in April. We followed this with Anders Lustgarten’s Lampedusa at Soho Theatre, which we hope you will enjoy here at the Festival. [Lustgarten’s] best yet... brave, bold and moving wwww (The Guardian on Lampedusa).

HighTide Festival Theatre can be reached at:

Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall Crabbe Street Aldeburgh IP15 5BN

24a St John Street London EC1M 4AY

0207 566 9765 www.hightide.org.uk

@_HighTide_ HighTideFestivalTheatre Registered in England and Wales no 6326484 Registered charity no 1124477.

ContentsWelcome 3About HighTide 4Aldeburgh Partners 6Who’s Who 9Hightide Productions 10

So Here We Are Harrogate BRENDA Lampedusa

HighTide Readings 18Normal Elizabeth The Vendor Forget Me Not A Short Gentleman

Literary Event 21Comedy 22

Nish Kumar : Long Word… Long Word… Blah Blah Blah… I’m So Clever Sam Simmons: Spaghetti For Breakfast John Kearns: Schtick Shappi Khorsandi

Music 24The Big Beach Sing with Firefly Burning & The Trad Academy Sea Shanty ChoirLate Night Music with Firefly Burning and The Trad Academy Sea Shanty ChoirThe Great American Songbook: James Pearson and Polly Gibbons in ConcertGillian Humphreys OBE and The Concordia Foundation present The Ballad of Whitechapel and Silver Rose

Face to Face Events 26Meera Syal CBE with Kate Mosse OBE Sir Richard Eyre CBE with Kate Mosse OBE Vanessa Redgrave CBE: Poems and Words Christopher Eccleston with Libby Purves OBE

Schedule 28Visiting Companies 30

Hunt & Darton Cafe Morgan and West: Parlour Tricks Moments of a Midsummer Night’s Dream Floral Curiosity Getting out of the Garret with Ivan Cutting Return of the Wildman Dream Play

Academy Showcase 38Workshops 40Art 41Schools 44Young Ambassadors 45HighTide and Lansons 48Support HighTide 49Green HighTide 50What to do in Aldeburgh 51Where To Stay 52Getting Around 54How to Book 56

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Image: Bill Knight

Aldeburgh Jubilee HallIn 1887, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall was developed from a modest reading room into “a performing arts venue for the people of Aldeburgh”. Over the next sixty years its use was ever-changing until, in 1948, the Jubilee Hall became the home of the first Aldeburgh Festival and has since been the venue for many significant opera and concert performances, including the premieres of Britten’s The Little Sweep, Walton’s The Bear, Birtwistle’s Punch and Judy and Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata. The Jubilee Hall continues to provide a richly diverse programme of events with, among many groups, the resident children’s opera company Jubilee Opera, Mahogany Opera Group, the annual Literary Festival, Jill Freud’s Summer Theatre Repertory Company and Aldeburgh Music’s winter series of string quartet recitals. We are delighted to be part of HighTide Festival and continue our tradition of presenting world-class arts in Aldeburgh.

Pumphouse and Aldeburgh MusicLaunched in 2000, the Pumphouse has quickly established itself as a charismatic addition to Aldeburgh. The combination of its raw-found beauty, intimacy and eclectic programme has made it very popular with audiences and performers. Stories of world premieres performed on spoons, shows involving feathers and honey, Elvis impersonators and impromptu appearances by some of the world’s top musicians have already entered into local folklore. Aldeburgh Music are delighted to be working with HighTide on the first Festival in Aldeburgh, and for the beautiful Pumphouse to be a central location for the Festival.

Aldeburgh Parish Church HallThe Aldeburgh Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul looks out to sea and is the home of a magnificent window depicting the three Church Parables composed by, and in memory of, Benjamin Britten.

The Church Hall also has its own association with Benjamin Britten as at the eighteenth Aldeburgh Festival in 1965 the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály visited the Church Hall. It is a little uncertain as to whether the visit was for a rehearsal or to meet local school children, Zoltán Kodály was passionate about children’s musical education. Unfortunately the detailed record of this visit was lost a year or two ago when the Hall was used for a radio broadcast. The Church Hall is an important part of the everyday life of the Aldeburgh community and we look forward to welcoming HighTide Festival here for the first time.

Aldeburgh Cinema Aldeburgh Cinema has been a consistent source of pleasure and enlightenment at the heart of the community since 1919 when its doors first opened to the town and region’s visitors and residents. Blessed with a gorgeously feel-good atmosphere and equipped with state-of-the art film theatre technology the iconic venue has recently been gently modernised and continues to provide a wide-ranging programme of world cinema and related events that is independent, inspirational, meaningful and fun. We are delighted to be hosting late night comedy on the very special occasion of the first HighTide Festival in Aldeburgh. After all, having a good laugh is good for all! A fantastic arthouse cinema! (The Times)

Welcome from our Aldeburgh Partners

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White Lion and Brudenell HotelsAt the White Lion and the Brudenell we are all incredibly proud to welcome the patrons of HighTide Festival 2015 to Aldeburgh and Suffolk. As Hospitality Partners of the Festival we want to ensure that you have a brilliant time enjoying all that HighTide and Aldeburgh have to offer. We look forward to catching some brilliant new shows, some of which are taking place in and around our two Aldeburgh hotels - the White Lion and the Brudenell. Here’s to a relaxing and truly enlivening experience on the Suffolk Coast!

Best of SuffolkHello and a big, warm welcome to all of you who are visiting HighTide Festival 2015 in Aldeburgh. Here at Best of Suffolk, we’re absolutely delighted to be Accomodation Partners with HighTide for their inaugural Festival in the wonderful coastal town that is Aldeburgh. We can’t wait to see some of the fantastic events that are on offer throughout the Festival, we’ve caught tantalising snippets so far, and are glad to finally soak it all up. Have a fantastic Festival and enjoy everything that Aldeburgh has to offer!

Suffolk Cottage HolidaysWelcome to Aldeburgh for HighTide Festival 2015 from everyone here at Suffolk Cottage Holidays. We’re incredibly excited to be a part of the first annual HighTide Festival in Aldeburgh, and are proud to be working with HighTide as Accommodation Partners. Be sure to pop in to our High Street shop in Aldeburgh, at number 152, for a chat about our favourite shows. We can’t wait to see the wide range of events on offer and wish you an exhilarating and inspiring time here both at the Festival and in Aldeburgh.

The South LookoutA huge welcome to everyone visiting us here in the gorgeous Suffolk town of Aldeburgh! We’re proud to host both you and the very first HighTide Festival here - by the sea. And you can’t get much closer to the sea than by the South Lookout.

The Lookout is a tiny art temple by the sea. Isolated, yet at the heart of cultural innovation, it is a magical and stimulating setting for artists to respond each in their own fascinating way. We look forward to hosting some exciting new site specific performance here at The Lookout and can’t wait to experience everything that the Festival has to offer. Enjoy yourselves and remember to pop in to see The Lookout and seek your own inspiration!

AdnamsA hearty welcome to Aldeburgh and HighTide Festival 2015 from everyone here at Adnams! We’re incredibly pleased to have the Festival take place in this unique coastal town and can’t wait for the festivities to begin - especially the Comedy Nights presented by our partners Soho Theatre. Whilst you’re here, make sure to pop into our store at 179b High Street where you can purchase some of our delicious beers, wines, spirits and more to take home with you. Enjoy the Festival and all that Suffolk has to offer!

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Image: Oli Bac

30 great nights out in Suffolk’s world class concert hallFolk | Jazz | World | Poetry | Classical

Featuring music from:JOHN WILSON ORCHESTRA / MILOŠ KARADAGLIC / KATE RUSBYSUFFOLK YOUTH ORCHESTRA / BILLY BRAGG / NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRATARAF DE HAÏDOUKS / DUTCH SWING COLLEGE BAND BORODIN STRING QUARTET / COUNTRY MUSIC DOUBLE BILLCHRISTIAN BLACKSHAW / THE BLUES BANDEDWIN SANS ‘SAN AUGUSTIN’ SALSA ORCHESTRA / GABRIELLEAPOLLO’S FIRE & ALINA IBRAGIMOVA / BENJAMIN GROSVENORTHE SWINGLE SINGERS / LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRABBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA / CAFÉ SOCIETY SWINGCLOSE TO YOU: SINATRA & THE HOLLYWOOD QUARTET / COURTNEY PINEPOETRY PROM / BETH NIELSON CHAPMANNATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN / BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BRASS BAND COME AND SING: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANGROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SYMPHONIC ‘60S

SNAPE PROMS 1–31 August 2015

Tickets from £6.50www.aldeburgh.co.uk / 01728 687110

HighTide CompanyArtistic Director – Steven AtkinsonExecutive Director – Holly KendrickProducer – Francesca ClarkMarketing & Development Officer – Freddie PorterLiterary Associate – Stephanie Street

Festival Production CompanyProduction Manager – Cath BatesHead of Lighting – Barry AbbottsHead of Sound – Mark CunninghamMaster Carpenter – Dave Larking

Festival General Manager – Joshua McTaggartDuty Manager – Gemma LeaderFront of House Team – Eleanor Brayne-Whyatt, Kathleen Herron, Hannah Hogg, Mayer Wakefield, Corinne Walker, Ione Wells

Marketing and PressGraphic Design – Chris PerkinPress – Dee McCourt and Giles Cooper for Borkowski Arts & Ents (020 3176 2700)

Artistic AssociatesNadia AlbinaTom AttenboroughJustin AudibertRichard BeechamGeorge ChilcottElla HicksonPaul Jellis

Zoe LewisEmily LimCaitlin McLeodPrasanna PuwanarajahDan RaggettChris ThorpeWill Wrightson

In 2015 HighTide has collaborated with: IdeasTap; Crucible Theatre, Sheffield; New Wolsey, Ipswich; Oxford Playhouse; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester; Northern Stage, Newcastle; Bristol Old Vic; VAULT Festival; Rich Mason Productions; Arcola Theatre; Chichester Festival Theatre; Soho Theatre; Dan Brodie Productions.

Board Steven AtkinsonAmy BirdPeter ClaytonSue EmmasNick GilesDiana HiddlestonMark Lacey

Criona PalmerClare ParsonsTali PelmanDallas SmithGraham WhitePeter Wilson MBE (Chair)

HighTide Festival Is...

30 great nights out in Suffolk’s world class concert hallFolk | Jazz | World | Poetry | Classical

Featuring music from:JOHN WILSON ORCHESTRA / MILOŠ KARADAGLIC / KATE RUSBYSUFFOLK YOUTH ORCHESTRA / BILLY BRAGG / NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRATARAF DE HAÏDOUKS / DUTCH SWING COLLEGE BAND BORODIN STRING QUARTET / COUNTRY MUSIC DOUBLE BILLCHRISTIAN BLACKSHAW / THE BLUES BANDEDWIN SANS ‘SAN AUGUSTIN’ SALSA ORCHESTRA / GABRIELLEAPOLLO’S FIRE & ALINA IBRAGIMOVA / BENJAMIN GROSVENORTHE SWINGLE SINGERS / LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRABBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA / CAFÉ SOCIETY SWINGCLOSE TO YOU: SINATRA & THE HOLLYWOOD QUARTET / COURTNEY PINEPOETRY PROM / BETH NIELSON CHAPMANNATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN / BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BRASS BAND COME AND SING: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANGROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SYMPHONIC ‘60S

SNAPE PROMS 1–31 August 2015

Tickets from £6.50www.aldeburgh.co.uk / 01728 687110

About hig

Htid

eAdvisory CouncilJack BradleyRobert FoxThelma Holt CBE

Mel KenyonTom MorrisRoger Wingate

PatronsSinead CusackStephen Daldry CBESir Richard Eyre CBESally Greene OBE

Sir David HareSir Nicholas HytnerSam Mendes CBEJuliet Stevenson CBE

Major SupportersArts Council England Backstage Trust Foyle Foundation Lansons Old Possum’s Practical Trust

Trusts and FoundationsAdnams Charity Britten-Pears Foundation Fidelio Charitable Trust Garfield Weston Foundation Mackintosh Foundation Martin Bowley Charitable Trust Parham Trust Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation Scarfe Charitable Trust

Corporate SupportersCMS Cameron McKennaNorthern Trust

Best of Suffolk Suffolk Cottage Holidays

White Lion and Brudenell Hotels

Friends of HighTide, AldeburghEmily Bowman Tallulah BrownHumphrey BurtonJon and Helen CanterFrancis CarnwathDiana HiddlestonNick HutchinsonPriscilla JohnRob Mabey

Criona PalmerClare ParsonsTim Rowan-RobinsonJames SargantCaroline WisemanJulian WorsterSarah Zins

Thank YouJohn Clayton and all at Bishop Printers; Jane Jacomb-Hood, Jenni Wake-Walker, Julian Worster and all at the Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall; Phillipa Reive, Lizzie Woods, Roger Wright and Harry Young and all at Aldeburgh Music; Derek Cook, Sandra Ralph and all at the Aldeburgh Parish Church Hall; Thomas Gerstenmeyer and all at Aldeburgh Cinema; Peter Osborne and Tim Rowan-Robinson, and all at TA Hotel Collection; Lizzie Hammond and all at Suffolk Cottage Holidays Ltd; Alex and Naomi Tarry and all at Best of Suffolk; Felicity Bissett, Robin Boyd, Sara Fox, Richard Marson, Ruth Procter and all at the Aldeburgh Town Council; Clare Baker, Fiona Johnson and all at Suffolk Coastal District Council; Nobby Clark; Jonty Boustead, Dale Rooks and all at Chichester Festival Theatre ; Ken Shreeve and all at Belle Coaches; Emma Hibbert, Sarah Fisk and all at Adnams; Aly Tipping and all at FlipSide; Caroline Wiseman and the South Lookout; Chris Milton and all at The Red House; all at the Aldeburgh Arts Partnership; John and Mary James at the Aldeburgh Bookshop. A special thank you to our Halesworth friends: Ezra Leverett, Andrew Jones, Colin Huggins, John Marshall Potter and all at The Cut for hosting the last eight years of the Festival.

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World Prem

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Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #sohereweare

Image: Martin Parr

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HIGHTIDE Festival THEATRE AND ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE, MANCHESTER PRESENT

So Here We Areby Luke Norris

You was always good at secrets. Both of yer.

Frankie’s dead. And no-one’s quite sure why. But the boys won’t talk about it. They can’t. There are some truths that men can’t share.

So Here We Are is a play about what can happen when nothing happens.

Luke Norris’ debut play, Goodbye to All That, was acclaimed for its depiction of love between senior citizens. In So Here We Are he offers a compassionate look at young lives cut short and a touching portrait of childhood friendships under strain in adult life.

So Here We Are was a winner of a 2013 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. This HighTide and Royal Exchange Theatre co-production is directed by Steven Atkinson, the award-winning Artistic Director of HighTide.

Goodbye to All That premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in March 2012, directed by Simon Godwin. Luke’s most recent play, Growth, was a Paines Plough commission for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and played at The Gate in April 2015 (directed by Sean Linnen). Other plays include Hearts (National Theatre Connections, 2014) and A Puzzle (Short, Open Court Season, Royal Court 2013). Luke also writes for screen and has TV projects in various stages of development.

Luke is also an actor. Recent credits include Poldark (BBC), A View From the Bridge (Young Vic/West End), Hamlet and As You Like It (RSC), Orpheus Descending (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Antigone (National Theatre).

Venue: Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall

Thursday 10th September 18:10Friday 11th September 19:30

Saturday 12th September 13:00 & 19:15Sunday 13th September 17:30

Wednesday 16th September 19:30Thursday 17th September 15:00

Friday 18th September 19:30Saturday 19th September 12:30

Sunday 20th September 15:45

Length: 110mins (no interval) Ages: 12+Please note that this production contains strong language.

Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #sohereweare

Director: Steven AtkinsonDesigner: Lily ArnoldCasting Director: Jerry Knight-Smith CDGSo Here We Are is transferring to: Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, from Thursday 24th September to Saturday 10th October.

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Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #harrogateplay

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HIGHTIDE Festival THEATRE PRESENTS

HARROGATEby Al Smith

Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #harrogateplay

I dream about you young. The pitch of your voice, the whiteness of your eyes, the speed of your mind. You’re forever seventeen in my mind’s eye. Until I wake you’re as young as the girl I met.

Told in three parts, Harrogate is a tender exploration of a marriage laid bare and a father struggling to confront his obsessions without destroying his family. A triptych about unrequited, unresolved and unspeakable feelings, it is a play concerning how we construct versions of the people we want to see rather than accepting the simple truths of those who stand before us.

Al Smith’s plays include: Radio (Soho Theatre/off-Broadway, 59E59 New York City); The Astronaut Wives Club (Soho Theatre); The Bird (Underbelly) and Enola (Underbelly). He has been Pearson Playwright in Residence at the Finborough Theatre and participated in the Paines Plough Future Perfect Scheme. He writes regularly for radio and television and was the winner of the inaugural BFI Wellcome Trust Screenwriting Prize. He is currently under commission to the Gate Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre.

Richard Twyman is Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre. For HighTide: Ditch (HighTide Festival and Old Vic Tunnels). His other credits include: Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah, PIIGS (Royal Court Theatre); Henry IV PT II (RSC); Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York); The Mystery of Charles Dickens (West End). Awards: Oliver Awards for Best Revival & Best Ensemble, Evening Standard Editor’s Choice Award (Henry IV PT II, as part of RSC Histories).

Director: Richard TwymanSound Designer: George Dennis

Venue: Pumphouse

Friday 11th September 19:45Saturday 12th September 14:00 & 18:30

Sunday 13th September 15:30Wednesday 16th September 15:45


Saturday 19th September 14:30 & 18:00Sunday 20th September 18:00

Length: 90mins (no interval) Ages: 14+This production contains scenes of an adult nature.

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Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #BRENDAplay

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I’m not a person.

Brenda doesn’t think she’s human.

Someone is trying to help her.

Brenda’s doing her best.

E V Crowe’s new play offers us Brenda’s deposition, her testimony. It bears a striking resemblance to the world as we know it. Executed through unconventional means by writer E V Crowe and director Caitlin McLeod, two of our most exciting theatre makers, BRENDA will play along the fault lines of theatre and reality.

E V Crowe has recently been produced by the Royal Court Theatre (Kin, Hero); RSC (I Can Hear You); Clean Break (Doris Day), nabakov (Young Pretender, Virgin) and Unicorn Theatre (Liar, Liar).

Caitlin McLeod’s recent work includes And I And Silence (Signature Theater, New York), The Malcontent (Globe) and extensive work at the Royal Court and National Theatre.

HIGHTIDE Festival THEATRE AND DANIEL BRODIE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

BRENDAby E V Crowe

Daniel Brodie Productions

Director: Caitlin McLeod Venue: Aldeburgh Parish Church Hall


Sunday 13th September 18:15Wednesday 16th September 14:00

Thursday 17th September 19:30Saturday 19th September 15:00 & 20:00

Length: 70mins (no interval) Ages: 14+

Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #BRENDAplay

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Lam

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Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #lampedusaplay

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HIGHTIDE Festival THEATRE AND SOHO THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH UNITY THEATRE LIVERPOOL

Lampedusaby Anders Lustgarten

Join in the conversation @_hightide_ #lampedusaplay

Director: Steven AtkinsonDesigner: Lucy OsborneLighting Designer: Elliot GriggsSound Designer: Isobel Waller-BridgeCasting Director: Nadine Rennie CDGAssistant Director: Rosy Banham

Venue: HighTide Dome (Moot Green)


Saturday 12th September 12:30 & 16:15Sunday 13th September 14:30 & 19:45

Wednesday 16th September 17:45Thursday 17th September 17:15


Length: 70mins (no interval) Ages: 14+HighTide Dome is a performance tent with bench style seating.

One of the most gently enticing pieces of storytelling you will see... Shattering (The Times)

A devastatingly powerful new play from the UK’s most exciting political writer.

Last year 4,000 people drowned trying to get to Europe in rickety migrant boats. The UK government responded by eliminating support for the main rescue programme.

One man’s job is to pull bodies out of the Mediterranean; the sea that gave birth to the world. And in the UK, a pay loan collector tramps from door to door hearing complaints about immigration and the jobs crisis. In a story of divide and rule, two strangers strive to find human connection in a world of separation. This is the story of two Europes – one that people are desperate to enter, and one that people are desperate to keep for themselves.

Lampedusa is by award-winning playwright Anders Lustgarten (If You Don’t Let Us Dream, We Won’t Let You Sleep, A Day at the Racists, Black Jesus) and directed by Steven Atkinson, Artistic Director of HighTide (peddling, Bottleneck, Lidless).

Having premiered at Soho Theatre before transferring to HighTide Festival 2015, Lampedusa is a play about being better than our rulers think we are.

Lampedusa premiered at Soho Theatre on 8th April 2015. Following HighTide Festival, Lampedusa will transfer to Unity Theatre Liverpool from 24th September to 3rd October 2015.

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Normalby Theresa IkokoLiving in London and born to Nigerian parents; Sam is ‘done’. His inability to come to terms with childhood grief - compounded by detachment from his family and culture leaves him unable to cope with the dichotomy of wanting to belong, yet not knowing where. Painful memories resurface and startling realisations ensue as we join Sam on his journey to battle thoughts and feelings he’d rather not have.

Theresa Ikoko’s striking debut, Normal, explores family, relationships, grief, mental health and reveals surprising truths.

Director: Stephanie Street

HighTide And Kids Company Present

Elizabethby Danielle DaleyElizabeth is a heart-rending tale of the catastrophic effects of child abuse and the life-saving effects of true friendship, as a young girl tells her story at three different ages.

When Elizabeth is a child she meets a boy in the playground, he seems to understand her and what she is going through. How does he know? The kindness he shows her helps her through her darkest hours, until she gets to college, when a boy called Nathan shows her similar kindness. She is his ‘firecracker’ he says, and wants to know her, but the past pulls her away from him. What is it about him that makes her trust him? She cannot put her finger on it...

Elizabeth is the debut play from Danielle Daley, a student at Kids Company Charity, which supports vulnerable young people in London, Bristol and Liverpool. HighTide have worked with the Kids Company Urban Academy playwriting and performance course since 2013, giving an opportunity for Kids Company students to extend their writing ambitions and knowledge.

Director: Nathan Crossan-Smith

Sponsors: Northern Trust

Venue: Aldeburgh Music Garage, High Street




Thursday 17th September 14:00


Image: Sarah Kelly

Image: fauxto_digit CC-BY 2.0lly

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The VendorBY Clara BrennanErin, the chief financial officer for a British heritage chocolate brand, arrives in Port Elizabeth with the sole mission of acquiring Matthew’s African artisan chocolate company. His factory is unique: it is able to trace the bean to its ethical, child labour-free source and holds the only legal ‘slave-free’ logo for which Erin will pay almost any price. An instant and powerful connection drives them as their bidding war escalates. But just as they are about to close the deal, a commotion on the factory floor signals a tragedy that changes their plans and their lives.

The Vendor looks at the aftermath of this event and the public and private implications of their gruesome decisions that night as both characters grapple with conscience, consumerism and the commodity of love in the 21st century.

Director: Nina Steiger


Friday 18th September 12:00


Image: Shayne Thomas

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Forget Me Notby Tom HollowayIn Australia, Gerry hopes to meet his mother for the first time. Despite being almost sixty, he has spent his whole life believing he’s an orphan.

In Liverpool, Mary brews a good, strong pot of tea. Nothing posh. But she’s as nervous as a pig at a butcher’s.

Determined to uncover his past, Gerry and his daughter Sally embark on an extraordinary journey home - halfway across the world - in a precarious bid to bring their family together.

Through a program created by the British Government and eagerly supported by an Australia in the throes of its ‘White Australia’ policy, between 1945 and 1968 over three thousand British children were told they were orphans and sent to Australia on a promise of warmth, fresh air, abundant food and opportunity. Instead they arrived to deprived institutions where neglect and abuse were the norm. Tom Holloway’s tender new play unearths a secret buried by time that, in turn, exposes a world of historical injustices currently in the limelight.

HighTide are proud to present a reading of this play before its European premiere at the Bush Theatre from 8th December 2015 – 16th January 2016.

For tickets for the European Premiere at the Bush Theatre: bushtheatre.co.uk/forgetmenot

Director: Rob Drummer


Saturday 19th September 16:15


A Short Gentlemanby Jon Canter‘Not every crime’s committed by a criminal’, says Robert Purcell, distinguished barrister, who now works in a charity shop after serving his time in prison. His life changed forever when he did something bad in his family’s holiday house in Aldeburgh, a place Robert loves. What was his crime? Why did he do it?

His wife has told him to ‘open up’. With his disdain for emotional revelation, that’s the last thing he wants to do. But this is his chance to prove to the world that he was right to commit his crime. It was a crime any civilised man would have been proud to commit. Robert knows he was right - now it’s your turn to agree.

A Short Gentleman is a painfully funny one-man show based on the novel by Aldeburgh novelist and scriptwriter Jon Canter, which was serialised on Radio 4, starring Hugh Bonneville as Robert.

Praise for the novel A Short Gentleman by Jon Canter:

Canter is a sharp writer with a wickedly dry wit. (Metro)

Witty, accomplished and highly entertaining. (Mail on Sunday)

Exhilarating…brilliantly plotted (New Statesman)

Director: Clive Brill

Michael Billington presents

The 101 Greatest Plays: From Antiquity to the PresentLiterary EventThe essential companion to the greatest plays ever written. Having surveyed post-war British drama in State of the Nation, Michael Billington now looks at the global picture. In this provocative and challenging new book, he offers his highly personal selection of the 100 greatest plays ranging from the Greeks to the present-day.

But his book is no mere list. Billington justifies his choices in extended essays- and even occasional dialogues- that put the plays in context, explain their significance and trace their performance history. In the end, it’s a book that poses an infinite number of questions. What makes a great play? Does the definition change with time and circumstance? Or are certain common factors visible down the ages? It’s safe to say that it’s a book that, in revising the accepted canon, is bound to stimulate passionate argument and debate. Everyone will have strong views on Billington’s chosen hundred and will be inspired to make their own selections. But, coming from Britain’s longest-serving theatre critic, these essays are the product of a lifetime spent watching and reading plays and record the adventures of a soul amongst masterpieces.

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Venue: Pumphouse

Sunday 20th September 11:00 & 15:00

Length: 100mins including interval Ages: 14+

Venue: Aldeburgh Book Shop


Length: 60mins

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Wonderful experiences, personal service, very special memories made in Aldeburgh

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Wonderful experiences, personal service, very special memories made in Aldeburgh

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Soho Theatre presents

Nish Kumar: Long Word… Long Word… Blah Blah Blah… I’m So CleverThis is a stand-up comedy show for people who like stand-up comedy shows by a man that does stand-up comedy. Depending on your opinion, that man is either a comedian on the up (The Times), a comedian I’ve never heard of (Audience Member) or a very clever boy (Nish Kumar).

This is Nish’s first solo tour. You may have watched him support Milton Jones or David O’Doherty, or seen him on Comedy Central’s The Alternative Comedy Experience curated by Stewart Lee, Live at the Comedy Store and Stand up Central. Or BBC 3’s, Live at the Edinburgh Festival and Sweat the Small Stuff. Nish has also been on The Josh Widdicombe Show on XFM, BBC Radio 4 on The Now Show and more recently was the host of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack. Alternatively you could have just sat next to him at Nandos. Now come and see him on tour.

wwww (Time Out) wwww (Guardian) wwww (Telegraph) wwww (Chortle) www.nishkumar.co.uk @MrNishKumar


Sam Simmons: Spaghetti for Breakfast

WINNER: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Barry Award 2015 NOMINEE: Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2014

A return to pure, full throttle stupid, from comedy’s bestest little dickhead.

Sam had a huge year in 2014. Nominated for the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, winning the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performance and the Festival Director’s Award at the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Sam returns to the UK hot off the back of a sell-out season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where he won the Barry Award for Best Show.

What your dreams look like when you’ve drunk too much absinthe, and I loved it. wwww (The Times)

Sam Simmons’ show is a comedy masterpiece wwww (The Scotsman)

@SamSimmonss

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Venue: James Cable Room, White Lion Hotel



Venue: Aldeburgh Cinema



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John Kearns: ShtickWINNER: Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2014 – Best Show

WINNER: Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2013 – Best Newcomer

Kearns waits for a train, all the while sporting the same old wig, the same old teeth. Same old Shtick. A series of crafted comedy curveballs, mixed with touching and hilarious vignettes from John’s real life as he soars upwards into his role as a professional and full time comedian, following his unprecedented back-to-back wins for Best Newcomer and Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

A true comedy original. wwww (Time Out)

Kearns could be your new king of comedy. wwww (Evening Standard)

A distant absurdist cousin of Tony Hancock... one of the oddest and most original comic performers on the Fringe. wwww (Telegraph)

@JohnsFurCoat


Shappi Khorsandi

The star of Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and Have I Got News for You, Shappi Khorsandi is one of the hottest comedy prospects in the country. She’s feisty, flirty and effortlessly funny she handles every subject with a razor sharp wit, softened only by her deliciously dizzy delivery and endless charm.

Makes live comedy thrilling, an absolute success. (Evening Standard)

Fine comedy… She has plenty to say, and says it with pointedness and potency. wwww (Guardian)

shappi.co.uk @ShappiKhorsandi

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The home of the most exciting new writing, comedy and cabaret for the last 15 years, Soho Theatre has forged an unrivalled reputation for spotting ground-breaking talent. This September sees them continuing their work with HighTide Festival, with a series of shows from some of the finest comedians to have played at Soho Theatre in the last year.

The Big Beach Singwith Firefly Burning and The Trad Academy Sea Shanty ChoirCome down to the beach for a fun singing session with the Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir and Firefly Burning. Learn old and new songs of the sea; shanties and popular songs, sea themed tunes from different musical traditions taught by experienced music leaders Pete Truin and Firefly Burning.

The Brudenell Hotel will be running a Sunday BBQ to accompany the Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir, so this afternoon’s singing session will be a chance for all ages to learn new songs and sing together whilst tucking in to some fantastic food.

Everybody welcome, no experience necessary.

Stick around after the workshop to relax and enjoy the beach and barbeque.

www.fireflyburning.co.uk www.tradacademy.co.uk

Late Night Music with Firefly Burning and The Trad Academy Sea Shanty ChoirFirefly Burning are a 5-piece ensemble from North East London who create cinematic songs - part art-folk song, part minimalist chamber music. Drawing on strings, guitar, gamelan, bass synthesizer, piano, gongs and voices, their music has echoes of Beach Boys, Steve Reich and Sufjan Stevens with close vocal harmonies and intricate rhythms. With eclectic tastes and a background in free improvisation they make impressionistic music described as vital and indefinable.

The Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir are a non-audition community choir based in London exploring the work-songs of the golden age of sail and have worked with many renowned musicians from the maritime world including Jim Radford, Andy Kenna, Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham. The choir continues to go from strength to strength, releasing their debut album Maiden Voyage, and appearing at the 2015 Festival du Chant de Marin in Paimpol, France.

Strange but soaring, dense but addictive. wwww (The Times)

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Venue: Aldeburgh Beach, near Brudenell Hotel


Length: 60mins (no interval) All ages




Image: Sophia Schorr-Kon Image: Sophia Schorr-Kon

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The Great American SongbookJames Pearson and Polly Gibbons in ConcertJames Pearson, Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, returns to HighTide Festival alongside the amazing vocalist Polly Gibbons to bring you an evening of truly exceptional jazz. End your day at the Festival in style as James displays years of expertise and experience in music to present an evening that you won’t want to miss.

James is one of the country’s most respected pianists. His extensive and colourful career has seen him perform not only as the house act at Ronnie Scott’s with the eponymous James Pearson Trio but also performing several concertos with Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra amongst countless others, as well as featuring on Classic FM and BBC Radio 2.

Polly is one of the most respected and talked about young singer/songwriters of her generation - in 2006 she was nominated for a BBC Jazz Award. With warm, rich, soulful vocals and an innate blues sensibility, Polly is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s, performing with the All Stars. In 2014 her debut Jazz Album with James Pearson was released to critical acclaim.

Gillian Humphreys OBE and The Concordia Foundation present

The Ballad of Whitechapel and Silver Rose Isaac Rosenberg - The painter, the soldier, the poetDirect from the National Portrait Gallery in London, Concordia Foundation bring their dazzling staged concert of musicians and actors, to celebrate the extraordinary work and life-enhancing legacy of First World War poet Isaac Rosenberg (1890-1918). Raised in poverty in Whitechapel, Rosenberg emerged among the artists of the Edwardian era, yet his talent as a painter was dwarfed by his subsequent writings in the trenches. He was killed in the last year of the Great War, before he knew of his burgeoning reputation as a poet – one which has only continued to grow.

With award-winning Klezmer musicians joining vocal quintet Apollo5, and Jill, Lady Freud narrating Rosenberg’s most remarkable poetry, this Concordia Foundation production at HighTide is augmented by Silver Rose, the acclaimed brass band composition by Liz Lane to Rosenberg’s words, performed by Lydbrook Band, conducted by Ian Holmes and narrated by film and stage star Henry Goodman.

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Length: 105mins with interval All ages




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Face to Face with Meera Syal CBEinterviewed by Kate Mosse OBEMeera Syal is best known for her work on the award-winning television comedies Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42. Her first novel, Anita and Me (Winner of the Betty Trask award) is now on the National Schools Curriculum and she adapted the screenplay for the 2002 BBC film. She also adapted her second novel, Life Isnt All Ha Ha Hee Hee for a 3 part BBC series and wrote the book for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Bombay Dreams. Most recently Meera performed in David Hare’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers at the National Theatre - directed by Rufus Norris. Meera will discuss her life as one of the most prominent and celebrated writers and actors in Britain.

Face to Face with Sir Richard Eyre CBEinterviewed by Kate Mosse OBESir Richard Eyre CBE is one of Britain’s finest theatre, film, television and opera directors whose spectacular career has included being Director of the National Theatre from 1987 - 1997 where he directed a multitude of award-winning productions including the 1982 and 1996 revivals of Guys and Dolls. More recently his work includes the award winning production of Ghosts at the Almeida Theatre, which then transferred to the West End and BAM in New York. Richard will discuss his fascinating career working alongside some of the greatest writers and actors of our times.

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Venue: Jubilee Hall


Length: 60mins (no interval) Ages: xx+




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The novelist and playwright Kate Mosse OBE is one of the most successful British writers of our time, best known for her multi-million Languedoc Trilogy – Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel – as well as for her Gothic Fiction, including the No 1 bestsellers The Winter Ghosts, for which she is currently writing the screenplay, and The Taxidermist’s Daughter. Her non-fiction includes The House: Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera House and Chichester Festival Theatre at Fifty. The Co-Founder of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, Kate is Deputy Chair at the National Theatre. Kate was awarded the 2012 The Spirit of Everywoman Award and appointed OBE for services to literature in 2013. Her new series of historical novels, The Burning Chambers Trilogy – set against the background of French Wars of Religion – will publish from 2018. We are thrilled to welcome Kate back to HighTide Festival.

Face to Face with Vanessa Redgrave CBE: Poems and WordsHighTide is pleased to welcome Vanessa Redgrave CBE to the Festival. Vanessa will read some of her favourite poems, some Shakespeare, and other texts she finds inspiring.

Vanessa Redgrave, considered by many to be one of the greatest living actresses, has won acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, performing on stage and screen for more than 50 years. She is the only British actress to have won the Oscar, Tony, Olivier, Emmy, Cannes, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Face to Face with Christopher Ecclestoninterviewed by Libby Purves OBEChristopher Eccleston is a British televsion, film and stage actor who currently stars in the HBO TV series The Leftovers and recently as Malkeith in the 2013 motion picture Thor: The Dark World. Christopher is also known for his time as The Doctor in the 2005 re-boot of BBC’s Doctor Who, for his performance of the titular role in the 2002 West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Hamlet, and for his performance as Creon in the 2012 National Theatre production of Antigone. Christopher will discuss his career as one of Britain’s busiest and boldest actors.

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Libby Purves OBE is a British radio presenter, journalist and author - one of the most prominent of our time.

Libby’s career has included being a columnist for The Times - for which she was named ‘Columnist of the Year’ in 1999, and in the same year was awarded an OBE for services to journalism. Libby served three years as The Times Chief Theatre Critic, and can now be found reviewing theatre at theatrecat.com. As an author her bibliography includes 12 novels and a travel book regarding her 1,700 mile journey sailing around Britain.

We are delighted to welcome back Libby to HighTide Festival.

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ScheduleThursday 10th September

18:10 110 mins So Here We Are by Luke Norris Jubilee Hall

20:30 70 mins Lampedusa by Anders Lustgarten HighTide Dome

Friday 11th September15:30 70 mins BRENDA by E V Crowe Church Hall

17:00 60 mins Workshop with Stephanie Street Aldeburgh Music Garage



19:45 90 mins Harrogate by Al Smith Pumphouse

21:45 60 mins Soho Theatre presents Nish Kumar: Long Word… Long Word… Blah Blah Blah… I’m So Clever

James Cable Room

Saturday 12th SeptemberAll day Hunt & Darton Cafe James Cable Room




14:00 60 mins Workshop with Dale Rooks Aldeburgh Music Garage

15:50 70 mins BRENDA by E V Crowe Church Hall


17:15 60 mins Face to Face with Meera Syal CBE and Kate Mosse OBE Jubilee Hall




21:45 60 mins Soho Theatre presents Sam Simmons: Spaghetti for Breakfast Aldeburgh Cinema

Sunday 13th September12:15 105 mins HighTide Academy Showcase Church Hall

13:30 60 mins The Big Beach Sing with Firefly Burning and The Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir

Beach by Brudenell

Hotel

14:15 60 mins Face to Face with Sir Richard Eyre CBE and Kate Mosse OBE Jubilee Hall


15:30 60 mins Michael Billington presents 101 Greatest Plays: From Antiquity to the Present

Aldeburgh Bookshop


16:00 80 mins Normal by Theresa Ikoko (Reading) Aldeburgh Music Garage




20:30 60 mins Morgan and West: Parlour Tricks Pumphouse

21:45 60 mins Late Night Music with Firefly Burning & The Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir

James Cable Room

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15:00 90 mins Britten-Pears Foundation presents Moments of a Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Red House




20:15 90 mins Mig Kimpton presents Floral Curiosity Church Hall

Thursday 17th September14:00 20 mins Kids Company present Elizabeth by Danielle Daley (Reading) Aldeburgh Music Garage


16:00 60 mins Eastern Angles present Getting out of the Garret with Ivan Cutting Aldeburgh Music Garage

17:00 60 mins Face to Face with Vanessa Redgrave CBE: Poems and Words Aldeburgh Cinema




21:00 60 mins The Great American Songbook: James Pearson & Polly Gibbons in Concert Jubilee Hall

Friday 18th September12:00 90 mins The Vendor by Clara Brennan (Reading) Aldeburgh Music Garage

14:00 60 mins Workshop with Ligea Marsh and Nick Barron for The Writers Company: Meet The Agents

Aldeburgh Music Garage



17:30 70 mins + Q&A Wonderful Beast present Return of the Wildman by Thea Smiley Church Hall

19:00 45 mins Baz Productions present Dream Play South Lookout


21:45 60 mins Soho Theatre presents John Kearns: Shtick James Cable Room

Saturday 19th September12:30 110 mins So Here We Are by Luke Norris Jubilee Hall


13:00 60 mins Workshop with Hannah Miller & Priscilla John Aldeburgh Music Garage




16:15 75 mins Forget Me Not by Tom Holloway (Reading) Aldeburgh Music Garage



19:00 45 mins Baz Productions presents Dream Play South Lookout

19:45 105 mins Concordia Foundation present The Ballad of Whitechapel & Silver Rose Jubilee Hall


21:45 60 mins Soho Theatre presents Shappi Khorsandi Aldeburgh Cinema

Sunday 20th September11:00 100 mins A Short Gentleman by Jon Canter (Reading) Pumphouse


13:15 60 mins Face to Face with Christopher Eccleston and Libby Purves OBE Jubilee Hall

15:00 100 mins A Short Gentleman by Jon Canter (Reading) Pumphouse


18:00 90 mins Harrogate by Al Smith Pumphouse 29

Hunt & Darton present

Hunt & Darton CafeJenny Hunt and Holly Darton invite you to join them in the Hunt & Darton Cafe where they blend art with the everyday. Watch spontaneity and performance meet great food and drink. You’ll experience alternative service from Hunt & Darton themselves - often wearing their iconic pineapple outfits and hats - in their pop-up Cafe at the James Cable Room in the White Lion Hotel.

Past visits to the Hunt & Darton Cafe have included theme days such as ‘You-Do-It-Day’ where customers are encouraged to serve each other. Make sure to pop in as Hunt and Darton expose the inner workings of their business by presenting everything as art; from public display of their bank balance to the lovingly handpicked charity shop crockery.

Whether you’re seeking surprising art or a relaxing place to spend the afternoon, you can expect a welcoming atmosphere and food served with a twist. Drop in to the James Cable Room for a slice of cake and a piece of the action – and maybe a cup of tea... if you’re lucky.

www.huntanddartoncafe.com

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Image: Christa Holka


Saturday 12th September 11:00 to 18:00

A pop up establishment of disarming eccentricity (Lyn Gardner, Guardian)

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Corrie McGuire for Electric Talent Management presents

Morgan and West: Parlour TricksTime travelling magic duo Morgan & West present a brand new show chock full of jaw dropping, brain bursting, gasp eliciting feats of magic. The dashing chaps offer up a plateful of illusion and impossibility, all served with wit, charm and no small amount of panache.

Be sure to wear a hat – Morgan & West might just blow your mind.

They’re clearly hugely talented wwww (Daily Mirror)

Never has my awe been so thoroughly struck wwww (The Scotsman)

An utterly splendid show wwwww (Three Weeks)

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Image: Steve Ullathorne

Venue: Pumphouse



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Britten-Pears Foundation presents

Moments of a Midsummer Night’s Dreamby William Shakespeare and Benjamin BrittenBenjamin Britten was one of the most significant composers of the twentieth century and made his home in Aldeburgh for the majority of his life. His 1960 version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was first performed in the town and is one of his most entrancing scores. In 2015 the opera ‘comes home’ to The Red House where Britten himself lived and worked. Covering 5 acres, the beautifully landscaped gardens of The Red House are the perfect place in which to explore this magical work.

Suffolk school children join with young professionals to create small scenes and moments from both the play and the opera. Whether it’s a group of young mechanicals in the orchard or the haunting sounds of a countertenor emerging from the rose-garden these outdoor performances will be a unique experience. The audience will walk from scene to scene around the garden and be able to explore the performances in a non-linear fashion.

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Venue: The Red House

Wednesday 16th September 15:00

Length: 90mins (no interval) All agesThis play is performed outside - please dress accordingly

Image: Phillip Vile

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Mig Kimpton presents

Floral CuriosityAldeburgh Parish Church HallJoin renowned floral designer Mig Kimpton as he delves into the history of flower arranging and his passion for the art. Winner of many prestigious awards for floral art, including nine medals from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, he will fill the venue with flowers, scent, stories and theatrical gossip. Learn how to get the most out of your blooms and thrill at the opportunity to take some home.

He combines his thirty years of working in theatre with his passion for flower arranging - the perfect show for flower lovers, gossipmongers and all those that are floral curious!

A few lucky audience members will win the opportunity to take home one of Mig’s amazing designs.

Director: Michael Corbidge

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Venue: Aldeburgh Parish Church Hall

Wednesday 16th September 20:15


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Eastern Angles presents

Getting Out of the Garretwith Ivan CuttingEastern Angles leads this discussion on the pros and cons of working to commission and addressing specific audiences and communities. Come and explore the prizes and pitfalls of getting out of your garret and accepting a commission for a specific audience. What are the rules, and when and how can you break them?

Join Artistic Director, Ivan Cutting for a panel-led discussion, and maybe some excerpts, around writing for children, families, rural touring and community plays. Who calls the shots, who pays the piper, and what is the result? With the increasing use of G4A applications to underwrite commissions for new writing, and the increased emphasis on finding new audiences, has the cart got in front of the horse?

Together with writers, directors and funders, maybe we can thrash out some answers.

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Image: Jack Ladenberg

Wonderful Beast presents

Return of the Wildmanby Thea SmileyA wild figure emerges from the sea and scrambles up the shingle. We’ve seen him only once before… hundreds of years ago. The mythical Wild Man of Orford returns, determined to tell his story, and tales of other mysterious creatures that inhabit the folklore of our coast and beyond. Featuring sea shanties, music and the voices of local children, actor Martin Bonger delivers a shingle-shifting solo performance as the Wild Man - a man who will revive the wildness within us all. Return of the Wildman is a work-in-progress, which will be performed on September 18th during HighTide Festival, and then at Wonderful Beast’s Storm of Stories 2016. It is part of a celebration of our coastal heritage, which includes a newly commissioned song cycle by Orford Primary School about the Orfordness Lighthouse, to be performed in Orford Church on September 19th.

Return of the Wildman work-in-progress will be followed by a Q&A with Julia Blackburn, Martin Bonger & Alys Kihl.

Cast Includes: Martin Bonger, Sylvia Hallett, The Wonderful Beast Singers Director: Alys Kihl Designer: Claire Lyth Composer: Sylvia Hallett Script Adviser: Julia Blackburn

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Length: 70mins (no interval) + 20m Q&A Ages: 10+

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Baz Productions present

Dream Playbased on A Dream Play by August Strindberg A Work-in-ProgressBaz Productions bring their unique style of exploration to HighTide Festival 2015, undertaking a week of research and development before performing the work-in-progress results at the atmospheric South Lookout tower on Aldeburgh beach.

Dream Play is a response to August Strindberg’s A Dream Play; a fantastical quest story exploring what it means to be human. Our patchwork showing will use live music, improvisation, movement and storytelling to investigate the nature of dreams and why we need them to comprehend our existence.

Baz is a site-responsive company dedicated to an audience seeking something alive and limitless. We have been working since 2009, embracing spontaneous performance to develop a unique approach to classic texts. The work we create at HighTide will go on to form part of our finished production, which will return as a three week London run in spring 2016.

www.bazproductions.co.uk Director: Sarah Bedi Designer: Paul Biver

Supported by Caroline Wiseman and the South Lookout

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Venue: The South Lookout



Length: 45mins (no interval) All AgesThis play is performed outside - please dress accordingly

Fearless experimentation

and detailed exploration

make Baz Productions

a company to watch out for

(There Ought to be Clowns)

Image: Paul Biver

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No membership required. *Terms & Conditions apply.

GET YOUR HANDS ON GREAT SEATS FOR

FESTIVAL 2015 SHOWS FOR JUST £8.50

Find out more at cft.org.uk/850 /850tickets @850tickets

OBERONBOOKS.COMTHE HOME OF NEW WRITING FOR THE THEATRE

Untitled-1 1 05/05/2015 11:35:24

Visit www.aldeburghcinema.co.uk and sign up for our e-newsletter!

Aldeburgh Cinema – the very best of World Cinema,

Theatre, Music. At the heart of the

community since 1919. Independent, inspirational,

meaningful, fun!

Aldeburgh Cinema, 51 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5AUBox Offi ce +44 (0)1728 454884

@aldeburghcinemaAldeburghCinema

FRIDAY 13TH - SUNDAY 15TH

NOVEMBER 2015

HighTide Festival Theatre in association with Chichester Festival Theatre present

Writers’ and Performers’ Academy ShowcaseAs part of our commitment to engaging young people in the arts we are proud to be collaborating with Chichester Festival Theatre on our Writers’ and Performers’ Academy. In spring 2015, fifteen young writers joined HighTide at Chichester Festival Theatre for a five-day intensive programme of development and learning with writer Zoe Lewis and director Amelia Sears.

As a culmination of their five days of learning and exploring, each young writer was encouraged to write a 10 minute play. A number of these have been selected to be performed as rehearsed readings at HighTide Festival 2015.

Each play presented in the showcase is performed by a company of young actors who have worked with director Amelia Sears and writer Zoe Lewis to develop their skills as performers, and rehearse these very special new plays. We hope that you will enjoy experiencing a new generation of exceptional talent and promise.

Supported by the Scarfe Charitable Trust

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Length: 105mins (no interval) Ages: 14+Contains strong language

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Image: ARG_Flickr

THE FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH A LATIN BEAT

2nd-4th OCT 2015SNAPE MALTINGS, SUFFOLK

www. f l i p s i de fes t i v a l . o rg

LITERATUREMUSICDANCE

ART

Nice and easy print and mailing

solutions, without the drama.

W E C R E A T E

W E P R I N T

W E D E L I V E R

||W| bishops.co.uk |W| themailingpeople.co.uk

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Length: 60mins (no interval) Ages: 16+Places are limited. Book early to avoid disappointment.










Q&A with Stephanie StreetHighTide Literary AssociateA free and open discussion about her work as an actress and playwright, her campaigning work to improve diversity across the live and recorded arts with Act for Change and how HighTide goes about finding and nurturing the next generation of playwrights.

Meet the Agents with Ligeia Marsh & Nick BarronWorkshop presented by The Writers CompanyWant to know what an agent does and how to get one? Want to hear the dos and don’ts of approaching agents and what they tend to look for in potential clients? Are you a more experienced writer wondering whether you are still with the right agent, but are unsure how to act? Experienced agents Ligeia Marsh and Nick Barron from The Writers’ Company will talk through all of the above in an informal setting, allowing you to ask questions and discuss anything and everything to do with agents and representation.The Writers’ Company represents a select list of talented writers, producers and directors working across theatre, television, film and radio. The company was founded 2006 by Ligeia Marsh and Nick Barron joined in 2008. Both worked for a number of years at one of London’s leading literary agencies, The Agency. www.writerscompany.co.uk

Dale Rooks Chichester Festival TheatreDale Rooks will lead an introductory workshop for young people interested in acting. Dale is Youth Theatre Director/Education Director at Chichester Festival Theatre and has directed numerous shows for young companies at Chichester Festival Theatre as well as the National Theatre, London Thames Festival, International Youth Arts Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Hannah Miller CDG Head of Casting, RSCPriscilla John CDG Casting Director Come and get your questions answered. Hannah and Priscilla will lead a 60-minute question and answer session where you can learn more about getting into acting, other careers in the theatre, how Hannah casts a play for the RSC and Priscilla casts for both television and film. There are no silly questions!

Hannah Miller studied Drama at the University of Hull. She went to work at Cheek by Jowl followed by the National Theatre as a Casting Assistant. She then moved to the RSC as Deputy Casting Director, was Casting Director for the Birmingham Rep and then returned to the RSC in 2008. She has cast productions for Sheffield Theatres, Northampton Theatres, Hampstead Theatre, the Young Vic, Cardboard Citizens and Treatment Theatre.

Priscilla John has been casting in the Film and Television Industry for 35 years. She comes from a theatrical background and started as an assistant at The Royal Court Theatre.

HighTide Workshops at the FestivalHighTide is running a series of arts workshops during the Festival. Ever been interested in trying your hand at theatre? Then these are for you.

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New Ceramicsby William PlumptreWilliam Plumptre (b.1959) is an English potter working in the distinguished Anglo-Japanese tradition established in the early 20th century by Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach.

Plumptre studied Ceramic Design at Chelsea College of Art, then worked in Japan, including one year in the workshop of Tatsuzo Shimaoka, National Treasure of Japan and pupil of Hamada. Plumptre was one of only twelve foreign students who studied with this respected potter. In 1988, Plumptre set up his Lake District workshop.

Plumptre creates classical but powerful forms, with a strong commitment to the centuries-old repertoire of Japan. He uses stoneware clay, mainly thrown on a wheel but also slab-built and press-moulded, incorporating subtle wood-ash glazes. Texture is added by rope impressions, fluting, sgraffito and brushwork. All the work is fired in a 65 cubic foot gas-fired kiln Plumptre designed and built himself. Plumptre exhibits regularly in London and the Lake District, this is his first solo exhibition in East Anglia.

www.jjrawlin.com

Venue: Aldeburgh Cinema Gallery

Friday 11th September 12:00 to 18:00Sat 12th & Sun 13th September 11:00 to 18:00Mon 14th to Fri 18th September 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday 19th September 11:00 to 18:00Sunday 20th September 11:00 to 15:00

All ages

Venue: Aldeburgh Cinema Gallery


Length: 60mins All ages

James and Jessica Rawlin presentIn Conversation with William PlumptreJoin William Plumptre in an exclusive discussion of his exciting exhibition of ceramics at HighTide Festival 2015, surrounded by his latest works. This is a special event held by James and Jessica Rawlin with limited capacity, to book please email [email protected]

Image: Tony West

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www.hightide.org.ukImage: Bill Knight

Free Schools WorkshopsPrior to HighTide Festival 2016Each year HighTide Festival Theatre is able to provide a limited number of free workshops for Suffolk schools. We would like students and teachers to join us for HighTide Festival 2016 and as a taster we are offering a limited number of schools workshops in spring 2016. Each workshop involves a HighTide practitioner coming to your school, giving a short talk on HighTide and how to get involved before delivering a 60-minute workshop. We are more than happy to discuss potential workshop titles, which could be anything from performing Shakespeare to directing new writing. HighTide cover the costs of each workshop.

Just wanted to say thanks for such an amazing experience - for the school and for our year seven class. We all feel so lucky to have HighTide and Wonderful Beast spend the afternoon with us. The workshop was tailored perfectly and really kick-started the work we were doing on physical theatre - the students are so enthused. (Donna Goodwin, Head of Drama, Leiston Academy)

HighTide 2015 School’s workshops took place at:Framlingham College, Framlingham: Narrative Improvisation led by Oliver Senton. Ipswich (For Girls) High School, Ipswich: Physical Action and Mime led by Gareth Taylor. Thomas Gainsborough School, Sudbury: Devising and Character led by Simon Muller. Alde Valley Academy, Leiston: Little Redcap led by George Chilcott and Alys Kihl for Wonderful Beast.

To apply for a workshop please contact Freddie Porter: [email protected] before 5th December 2015. We can only offer a limited number of workshops, please do contact us as soon as possible if this is of interest.

Young People’s Training OpportunitiesIf you are currently reading this whilst enjoying work at our Festival then you will have also noticed our wonderful Front of House team made up of young people (18-25 years) seeking to gain experience of working in arts administration, and students from Suffolk New College who join us to learn more about arts organisations.

In 2016 we are offering the opportunity for young people (18–25 years) the chance to work as part of the HighTide Front of House Team, gathering experience and knowledge in an inspiring and fun environment. We are offering six volunteer places, in which HighTide will provide travel, accommodation and a Festival Pass to each volunteer as well as providing them with training in all aspects of Front of House management and Box Office. We will also offer two paid roles on the team as Festival General Manager and Festival Duty Manager.

To apply to take part in the HighTide Front of House Team you must be over 18 years old on Thursday 1st September 2016 and must be available for the entirety of the Festival.

To apply for a place on the Front of House Team or for more information please contact Francesca Clark: [email protected]

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Thank you for an excellent session yesterday. The students were all smiles this morning. This has given a strong central experience to our King Lear work. (Hugh Pearson, Head of Drama, Archbishop Sancroft Church of England VA High School)

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It was a pleasure to work at HighTide this year and be part of

such a great crew. Not to mention the opportunity to see so many

exciting and powerful new plays; it’s certainly worth volunteering

when you see Incognito one day and Captain Amazing the next! It

was a truly eclectic programme and it was a privilege to help in

any small way with a Festival that does so much for new writing.

(Kitty Spence, HighTide FOH volunteer)

Young Ambassadors SchemeIn 2015, for the first time ever, HighTide launched our exciting and unique opportunity for young people (16-25 years) who would like to represent HighTide Festival Theatre within their 6th form, college or university. HighTide is repeating the scheme in 2016 and we are all looking forward to working with many more Young Ambassadors.

To be a Young Ambassador you must have a basic interest in the arts and/or Festival and events, as well as an interest in marketing, but there is no need to have studied any of these subjects. You will need to be interested in HighTide but you do not need to have attended the Festival before. As an Ambassador we will provide you with a complimentary Festival Pass to attend events at the Festival, as well as the opportunity to learn from the whole HighTide team.

If you are interested in being a 2016 Festival Ambassador please email: [email protected]

Sponsored Tickets for Young People and SchoolsAt HighTide we are passionate about enabling young people and schools to experience great theatre, workshops, masterclasses, music, comedy and all that HighTide Festival 2015 has to offer. For this reason we are proud to have secured funding to pay for 500 young people’s tickets to be claimed by schools and young individuals to attend HighTide Festival 2015 at absolutely no cost to them.

Each ticket, worth £10, has been supported by charities including the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Mackintosh Foundation, and the Britten-Pears Foundation.

We are offering up to 20 tickets per school, college or university, or up to 4 tickets per individual. To claim, you must live or study in the Eastern region and be under the age of 25.

Get in touch today to book your free young people’s tickets. Call Freddie on 0207 566 9765. Don’t hesitate – we anticipate demand for tickets to be great and this offer is strictly subject to availability.

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HighTide Academy in association with Chichester Festival TheatreWriters’ AcademyAt Easter this year we offered 15 people from the East and South of England the chance to develop their skills at our Writers’ Academy at Chichester Festival Theatre. The young writers worked for an intensive five days with writer Zoe Lewis and director Amelia Sears to create their own ten-minute plays. You can see some of the plays at the Festival this year on Sunday 13th September at 13:15 performed as readings by our company of young actors.

Amelia SearsAmelia Sears is an accomplished director whose work includes: The Girl’s Guide to Saving the World (HighTide Festival); Home; Brimstone and Treacle (Arcola Theatre); Swifter, Higher, Stronger (Roundhouse); Pedestrian (Bristol Old Vic and Edinburgh Festival); The Last 5 Years (Duchess Theatre). Amelia is artistic director of Westhill Productions and an associate director for SEArED. Amelia was the recipient of the 2007/8 Bulldog Princep Directors’ Bursary at the National Theatre Studio.

Zoe LewisZoe Lewis is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Her produced stage plays include: Pool Death (Salisbury Playhouse); Sharp Relief (Salisbury); Flanders Mare (Sound Theatre Leicester Square); Touched (Trafalgar Studios) and Touched Like A Virgin (Soho Theatre). She is currently writing Bird, a feature film script for Ealing Studios and Mad Mums, a television drama series for Blonde/Black Pictures.

HighTide Academy in association with Chichester Festival Theatre is supported by: Garfield Weston Foundation, Mackintosh Foundation and Scarfe Charitable Trust.

Performer’s AcademyHighTide auditioned young people from the South and East of England and cast a company of young performers who have worked with Zoe Lewis, Amelia Sears, Chichester Festival Theatre and the young writers and will be presenting readings of some of the ten-minute plays on Sunday 13th September at 12.15.

If you are interested in joining HighTide Academy 2016 please contact: [email protected]

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Image: ARG_Flickr

HighTide Opportunities for Young PeopleThis year we teamed up with IdeasTap to offer 300 young people places on our one of our 12 playwrighting workshops across the country. The workshops were a chance for emerging writers to hone their skills and discover new ones. The workshops were held at:

Oxford Playhouse led by Zoe Lewis Zoe Lewis is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. She is currently writing Bird, a feature film script for Ealing Studios and Mad Mums, a television drama series for Blonde/Black Pictures.

New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich led by Luke Barnes Luke is Northern born award-winning playwright. He’s currently writer on attachment to Soho Theatre (Soho 6) and was the 2013 writer on attachment to the Liverpool Everyman Playhouse.

Bristol Old Vic, led by Jack Lowe Jack is the award-winning Artistic Director of curious directive. Alongside his work for curious directive Jack is a peer reviewer for the Wellcome Trust, reads for the Bruntwood Prize and works for the National Theatre as a Connections Director.

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield led by Sarah Grochala Sarah is currently Lecturer in Writing for Theatre at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and an associate artist with Headlong.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester led by Steven Atkinson Steven is the award-winning Artistic Director of HighTide Festival Theatre and is directing Lampedusa and So Here We Are at this year’s Festival.

Northern Stage, Newcastle, led by Alex Chisholm Alex is a freelance director and dramaturg. She was Literary Manager at West Yorkshire Playhouse from December 2001 and Associate Director January 2006 to July 2014. Her blog can be found at www.playnerd.org

After the workshops had taken place we then asked 25 exceptional attendees to submit a sample of their work. From these samples we chose 3 talented emerging writers to join us for a bootcamp in London, led by directors Will Wrightson and Steven Atkinson. At the bootcamp the writers worked with Will and Steven for three days culminating in a reading of their work to members of the public and the industry. Interested in finding out about next year’s workshops? Email: [email protected]

HighTide Literary Programmes HighTide is committed to discovering new playwrights and producing new plays. Each year we develop over fifty writers through workshops, public readings, our Festival and productions transferred and toured to many of the leading theatres in the UK. We do this because we truly believe that emerging writers from a multitude of backgrounds deserve an opportunity to have their voices heard, and the chance to contribute towards British Theatre and the arts. In order to work with as many emerging writers as possible, we read 1000 scripts a year. Each script is read by our Artistic Director, Literary Associate and our Artistic Associates; a group comprised of leading artists in British theatre. Our next round of Unsolicited Script Submissions will be in Spring 2016 to be considered for development throughout 2017.

We also manage our Playwrights on Attachment Programme (formerly our Escalator programme) which is designed to support early career playwrights from the East of England and those playwrights wanting to work in the region. Up to six writers every year will develop a new play with HighTide in this programme. Throughout the writing process they will receive feedback from our Artistic Director and Literary Associate. The writers are supported in making relationships with theatres in the region where they can workshop and produce readings of their plays.

Writers are encouraged to make an application to Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts to enable the future development of their plays. To find out more: hightide.org.uk/playwriting

The current team of Artistic Associates are: Artistic Associates Nadia Albina Tom Attenborough Justin Audibert

Richard Beecham George Chilcott Ella Hickson Paul Jellis

Zoe Lewis Emily Lim Caitlin McLeod Prasanna Puwanarajah

Dan Raggett Chris Thorpe Will Wrightson

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Image: ARG_Flickr

HighTide and LansonsLansons is a full service strategic consultancy, specialising in corporate, media and political communications, which supports HighTide year-on-year as part of an award-winning relationship. The partnership between the two organisations won ‘Best Arts and Culture Programme’ at the Corporate Engagement Awards 2014, and has been featured in the Evening Standard and The Guardian as an example of innovative collaboration between business and the arts.

As part of their collaboration, Lansons donate office space, IT support, meeting rooms, and reception services to HighTide – what HighTide saves on administrative overheads is then reallocated towards achieving its charitable aims. Put simply, Lansons’ support helps enable HighTide to source, develop and produce more emerging artists, to be ambitious in their productions, and keep ticket prices comparatively low. In exchange, HighTide gives Lansons the opportunity to engage with the cultural sector by attending HighTide Festival and its transferring productions throughout the year, for both staff and clients, and by attending development sessions and readings of new works hosted at Lansons’ offices. HighTide also offers personal development training for Lansons staff, and contributes towards Lansons’ work with communities.

Lansons’ engagement with the charitable and cultural sectors is part of their corporate DNA - they’re involved in donations, sponsorships, fundraising events for a variety of charitable organisations, and regularly provide PR support to institutions on a pro bono basis. They donate 1% of their profits annually to a charity selected by their staff, and challenge employees to match this. Lansons’ ongoing support has allowed both HighTide and other arts organisations to flourish and develop, whilst actively increasing opportunities to make and see work.

HighTide and Lansons are proud of our mutually beneficial relationship, and we hope that, by being transparent about the nature of it, more businesses and charities will endeavour to explore working together.

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Support HighTide HighTide Festival Theatre is a registered charity and every year the generosity of individuals, corporate sponsors, public funders, trusts and foundations enable to us to create our awarding-winning artistic programme and grow our work for young people.

Donate to HighTideIf you have enjoyed the Festival and HighTide’s work, why not make a donation? Your donation will help us to continue discovering, producing and championing the most promising emerging playwrights.

To donate online please visit: www.hightide.org.uk/donate

Donate via text messageSimply text HIGH34 and the amount you wish to donate, (either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070 (e.g. your text could read HIGH34£10). Thanks to Vodafone’s generosity, there are no running costs for this text donation service and no network charges apply (even if you’re not a Vodafone customer) so 100% of your donation will come directly to HighTide. Your donation will be deducted from your mobile phone credit, or added to your monthly phone bill. You will receive a text message asking you to agree to Gift Aid.

All donations to HighTide from UK tax-payers are eligible for Gift Aid. As a charity we are able to reclaim the tax on your support at no extra cost to you.

Corporate We have worked with corporate partners: Lansons, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, AEM International, JHI Marketing, Northern Trust, TA Hotel Collection, Best of Suffolk, and Suffolk Cottage Holidays all of whom have helped us to deliver world-class productions. We can offer your company unique ways to engage with HighTide and tailor a corporate package to suit your organisation.

Trusts and FoundationsThere are very talented young playwrights working in the UK, and if they are lucky they will find their way to the HighTide Festival Theatre season in Suffolk. I hope you will join me in supporting this remarkable and modest organisation. With your help HighTide can play an even more major role in promoting the best of new writing in the UK. (Lady Susie Sainsbury, Backstage Trust)

We have important partnerships with trusts, foundations and public funders who support our ambition and excellence, allowing us to deliver a wealth of opportunities for practitioners and participants alike. Working with our supporters we are committed to developing the next generation of artists and audiences.

Here are this year’s partners who have helped us produce our work and helped us to grow our offer to young people:

Lansons, Old Possum’s Practical Trust, Backstage Trust, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Britten-Pears Foundation, Adnams Charity, Mackintosh Foundation, Arts Council England, Fidelio Charitable Trust, Martin Bowley Charitable Trust, Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation, Scarfe Charitable Trust.

ContactTo discuss supporting HighTide please contact: Freddie Porter [email protected]

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Image: Nobby Clark Image: Bill KnightImage: Bill Knight

Green HighTideEnvironmental sustainability is important to us at HighTide Festival Theatre and we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our activities both in the office and at the Festival. We currently work with Julie’s Bicycle, a not-for-profit organisation which helps arts companies across the UK to measure, manage and reduce their environmental impacts.

We have identified our key areas of environmental impact at the Festival and are working to implement practices within each area, which will help us reduce our overall carbon footprint:

Power (including electricity and water consumption)

We are gifted offices by Lansons who are a carbon neutral company, which means they have measured greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (externally via a third party) and reduced them to net zero through internal change (via above schemes) and externally, through carbon offsetting in accordance with the requirements of the CarbonNeutral Protocol for the stated activity. They have a carbon offset plan in place with the Carbon Neutral Company and have chosen to offset emissions via the following projects:

50 tCO2e from Light it up Improved Cooking Technique Project project, South Africa, Gold Standard

50 tCO2e from Puerto Montt Thermal Energy project, Chile, VCS

50 tCO2e from Ankara Landfill Gas to Energy project, Turkey, Gold Standard

We encourage all of our Lighting Designers to avoid tungsten and ensure that the companies we use for lighting, sound, staging and properties hires have robust environmental policies of their own.

Recycling/Waste ProductionWe have a full recycling programme in place and are working to minimise paper wastage and reduce printing wherever possible. For the printing of our brochure, tickets and marketing materials we only use FSC certified companies (Bishops Printers). At the Festival we use FSC timber for all set and staging construction wherever possible and maintain a props store so that we can reuse and share props and costumes post-Festival. We also attempt to recycle all of our sets if not being stored.

TransportOur Festival venues are located in the town of Aldeburgh, all within walking distance of each other.

Please see our website hightide.org.uk/green_hightide for a comprehensive guide on green ways to get to the Festival and to see our full environmental policy.

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Things To Do In AldeburghThere is absolutely loads to do in Aldeburgh, from a walk on the beach – after some of the UK’s finest fish and chips of course, to boutique shopping on the town’s high street. We’re confident that you’ll have a brilliant time here in Aldeburgh no matter what, but to help you along we have listed a few great places to visit.

Restaurants:The Brudenell Hotel - The Parade, IP15 5BU The White Lion Hotel - Market Cross Place, IP15 5BJ Thorpeness Hotel & Golf Club - Lakeside Avenue, Thorpeness, IP16 4NH The Lighthouse - 77 High Street, IP15 5AU The Regatta - 171 High Street, IP15 5AN The Wentworth Hotel - Wentworth Road, IP15 5BD Prezzo - 146 High Street, IP15 5AQ

Bars and Pubs:DP’s Bar - 106-108 High Street, IP15 5AB The Mill Inn - Market Cross Place, IP15 5BJ Ye Olde Cross Key - Crabbe Street, IP15 5BN Rising Sun - 190 High Street, IP15 5AJ The White Hart - High Street, IP15 5AJ

Food on the Go:The Aldeburgh Market Cafe -170-172 High Street, Aldeburgh Fish and Chips - 226 High Street, IP15 5DB Chopping Hill Café & Baker - 181 High Street, IP15 5AL Cragg Sisters’ Tearoom - 110 High Street, IP15 5AB Delphine’s Diner - 76 High St, IP15 5AB Lawson’s Delicatessen - 138 High Street, IP15 5AQ Ives Ice Cream Parlour & Coffee Bar - 160 High Street, IP15 5AQ Munchies - 163-165 High Street, IP15 5AN

Taxis: A2B Cars - 01728 633003 Gull’s - 01728 602344 Oscars - 01728 830614 Aldeburgh Shuttle - 01728 452142 If arriving by train, we recommend booking a taxi prior to making your journey

Things to Do:Visit the Martello Man, sculpted by Anthony Gormley and situated atop the Martello tower for one year only!

Visit The Red House – Britten and Pears’ Aldeburgh Home from 1957 until they passed away. Golf Lane, IP15 5PZ 01728 451 700 Tours are available from June – September, numbers are strictly limited so do book in advance

Visit the Aldeburgh Museum at The Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, IP15 5DS 01728 454 666 Open from 12.00 – 17.00 in June, July and August, and from 14.30 – 17.00 in April, May, September daily.

Visit the Aldeburgh Cinema 51 High Street, IP15 5AU 01728 454 884 A fantastic arthouse cinema (The Times)

Enjoy an Aldeburgh River Trip Setting off from Slaughden Quay, Slaughden Road, IP15 (south of Brudenell Hotel). 01728 453 528 Latest timetables and prices at: www.aldeburghrivertrips.co.uk

12th-28th June: Aldeburgh Festival Arguably the best musical event in Britain (The Guardian)

1st-31st August: Snape Proms Join us for the ultimate summer music celebration in the unique atmosphere of the renowned Snape Maltings Concert Hall. www.aldeburgh.co.uk

Visit FlipSide Festival The Family Festival with a Latin beat! 2nd – 4th October 2015 Snape Maltings, Bridge Road, Snape, IP17 1SR www.flipsidefestival.org

For further information please visit Aldeburgh Tourist Information Centre 48 High Street, IP15 5AB 01728 453 637

Where to StayWe’ve joined forces with Best of Suffolk and Suffolk Cottage Holidays, who are proud to be Accommodation Partners for HighTide Festival 2015. Both partners are unique and each offer a multitude of gorgeous and stylish holiday cottages across Suffolk. When booking your accommodation for HighTide Festival 2015 make sure to get in touch with Best of Suffolk and Suffolk Cottage Holidays – we know they will provide you with a wonderful place to stay.

Best of Suffolk has a hand-picked selection of over 300 luxury Suffolk holiday cottages. We strive to offer all our guests stylish, well-appointed properties in amazing locations and we won’t charge you any hidden costs or booking fees. Our guests trust us, it’s one of the many reasons why they return time and time again!

We’re so pleased that HighTide Festival 2015 is taking place in Aldeburgh. It’s a real pleasure to support such a great Festival and we’re making every effort to encourage our guests staying in Aldeburgh and surrounding areas to attend the Festival during their visit to Suffolk.

To book your cottage in Aldeburgh for HighTide Festival 2015, visit our website www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk or call us on 01728 638 962 - you won’t want to leave!

Suffolk Cottage Holidays welcomes HighTide Festival to Aldeburgh.

The Suffolk coast has inspired a plethora of literary creativity down the centuries and Suffolk Cottage Holidays and the thousands of visitors who stay in our properties year on year have an enduring interest in the arts and its innovations.

For your Festival accommodation, choose Suffolk Cottage Holidays! Stylish, contemporary homes on the coast, utterly charming cottages in the country; you will find the perfect accommodation and location, from which to enjoy all that the fabulous HighTide Festival has to offer. Let us cater for your every need, so you can holiday your way.

To find out more and book your accommodation, give us a call on 01394 389 189, visit our website www.suffolkcottageholidays.com, or pop in to our central Aldeburgh shop at 152, High Street.

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Welcome to the White Lion and Brudenell Hotels in stunning Aldeburgh, proud hospitality partners of the HighTide Festival.

Both renowned hotels are the flagships of the TA Hotel Collection, a group of award winning, luxury hotels, restaurants and businesses located across the beautiful county of Suffolk. Aldeburgh is a true gem of not only Suffolk and East Anglia, but the whole of Great Britain, and we are delighted to welcome such a brilliant event to the town.

About us…

Whilst both hotels offer their own unique style, visitors to either are assured of wonderful accommodation, attentive service and excellent dining. Each of the properties is stunningly located so whether you choose the beachside sophistication of the Brudenell, quite literally a stone’s throw from the pebbles of Aldeburgh Bay, or the chic styling of the White Lion nestled alongside the fisherman’s beach front huts, you’ll be certain to experience a stay that is quintessentially Aldeburgh.

Food is a critical part of the Suffolk psyche and each hotel offers a fabulous foody experience for its guests. The Seafood & Grill restaurant at the Brudenell offers wonderful sea views and a menu that truly celebrates the local catch. The White Lion Brasserie Bleue features hand-picked local produce from in and around Suffolk, which is carefully put together with a French inspired twist.

In celebration of the fantastic HighTide Festival, we are offering festival-goers exclusive accommodation and food offers at both hotels. As well as that we’ll also be organising one or two special events along way: Don’t miss our Beachside BBQ at the Brudenell Hotels stunning outdoor terrace on 13th September at 13.30. The hotels will jointly be running a bar for all events in the Jubilee Hall & Pumphouse throughout the two weeks of the Festival.

In addition the James Cable Room at the White Lion will also have a full bar with light snacks open daily throughout the Festival. Snacks will be available from 10.00 to 23.00, the bar will be open from 12.00 – 23.00 on weekdays, and from 12.00 – 01.00 on Fridays and Saturdays

HighTide Festival Accommodation Discount

Get £10.00 off your room, per night, from the ‘Best Available Bed and Breakfast’ rates at the Brudenell and White Lion

Just quote HighTide when booking

HighTide Festival Restaurant Discount

Get 10% off food when dining between 6pm and 7pm at Brudenell Hotel’s Seafood & Grill during the HighTide Festival.

Enjoy 10% off the main menu, as well as pre and post show dining when quoting HighTide Menu at the White Lion – Prix Fixe menu also includes a glass of wine per person!

For bookings: White Lion Hotel: 01728 452720 Brudenell Hotel: 01728 452071

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How to Get to HighTide and AldeburghWe are very proud of our new home in Aldeburgh and incredibly excited to be here on the gorgeous Suffolk coast. We can’t wait for you to visit us. Reaching us is easy wherever you’re coming from. Below are details on how to find us. If you have any questions please do call us on 0207 566 9765.

By CarAldeburgh is located between Ipswich and Norwich on the Suffolk Coast, just off the A12. Take the A1049 (Farnham Road) from the A12 to reach Aldeburgh. There is parking throughout Aldeburgh, towards the North end of the town, as well as along certain areas of the High Street. There is limited parking at the Pumphouse. We urge you to share cars where possible to reduce carbon emissions related to the Festival.

By BusThe following services can be caught to and from Aldeburgh to the surrounding areas including Leiston, and Thorpeness. You can also catch buses to Saxmundham, from which you can catch trains to Norwich, or London via Ipswich: 64A, 521, 65

You can also catch a direct bus to Ipswich: 64, 64A, 65, 65B

Each service is run by First in Suffolk and Norfolk. To find out more and to look at the most current timetables please visit: www.suffolkonboard.com

By TrainThe nearest station to Aldeburgh is Saxmundham. The train journey from London (via Ipswich) or Norwich (via Lowestoft) takes just over two hours. Both London and Norwich are serviced by trains from further afield. Please note that Saxmundham station is not within reasonable walking distance to Aldeburgh and you are advised to travel further by taxi, or by shuttle bus.

Shuttle BusesWe want to make sure that getting to Aldeburgh is as easy as possible so, we’ve joined forces with Belle Coaches to offer two shuttle bus services a day on selected days at the Festival from Saxmundham Station to Aldeburgh, and back again. Once you’ve booked your tickets online or by phone, simply call us to book your place on the free shuttle. As space is limited booking is essential - unless you have booked in advance you will not be able to board the Shuttle Buses.

We’re offering buses on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th September to meet the mid-morning train from London via Ipswich, and the last train back.

To confirm timings and book your place before you book your rail ticket please call us on 0207 566 9765.

Shuttle Buses for HighTide Festival 2015 are kindly supported by Belle Coaches. www.bellecoaches.co.uk

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Image: Susana Fernandez

The VenuesAll of our venues are within walking distance of each other in Aldeburgh. Postcodes are included for where car use is necessary, however we urge all patrons to walk where possible in order to reduce carbon emissions related to the Festival.

Festival Hub and Box Office: James Cable RoomWhite Lion Hotel, Market Cross Place, IP15 5BJ

Aldeburgh Jubilee HallCrabbe Street, IP15 5BN Walking Time from Festival Hub – 5 minutes

Aldeburgh Parish Church HallChurch Walk, IP15 5DU Walking Time from Festival Hub – 8 minutes

The PumphousePark Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5EU Walking Time from Festival Hub – 25 minutes

HighTide DomeMoot Green, adj Moot Hall, IP15 5DS Walking Time from Festival Hub – 5 minutes

Brudenell HotelThe Parade, IP15 5BU Walking Time from Festival Hub – 15 minutes

Aldeburgh Cinema and Gallery51 High Street, IP15 5AU Walking Time from Festival Hub – 6 minutes

The Red HouseGolf Lane, IP15 5PZ Walking Time from Festival Hub – 35 minutes

South Lookout32 Crag Path, IP15 5BS Walking Time from Festival Hub – 10 minutes

Aldeburgh Music GarageRear of 152 High Street, IP15 5AQ Walking Time from Festival Hub – 10 minutes

Aldeburgh Bookshop 42-44 High Street, IP15 5AB Walking Time from Festival Hub – 6 minutes

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All of our venues are accessible to wheelchair users. Aldeburgh beach requires step access but there is level access on Crag Path where beach performances could be viewed. We welcome accredited assistance animals (Please bring relevant certification).

Wednesdays & Thursdays

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

HighTide Productions Full Conc & Local FULL CONC

& LocalSo Here We Are £15 £10 £18 £11

Harrogate £15 £10 £18 £11

BRENDA £15 £10 £18 £11

Lampedusa £15 £10 £18 £11

Wednesdays & Thursdays

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Festival Day Passes Full Conc & Local Full Conc &

LocalAccess to selected shows and events £37.50 £25 £50 £28

Wednesday to Sunday

Visiting Companies & Events Full Conc & Local Readings & Academy Showcase £5 £3.50

Soho Theatre Comedy Nights £12.50 £10

Face to Face Events £5 £5

Late Night Music With Firefly Burning and The Trad Academy Sea Shanty Choir

£12.50 £10

Late Night Jazz With James Pearson and Polly Gibbons for Ronnie Scott’s

£12.50 £10

The Concordia Foundation present The Ballad of Whitechapel and Silver Rose

£15 £12.50

Hunt & Darton Cafe Free with a ticket to another HighTide event

Morgan & West: Parlour Tricks £12.50 £10

Moments of a Midsummer Night’s Dream £5 £3.50

Floral Curiosity £12.50 £10

Return of the Wildman £10 £5.00

How to book

Refunds and Exchanges: HighTide cannot offer refunds but we are able to exchange tickets if possible. Concessions: 30 and under, students, senior citizens, disabled, unwaged, equity, BECTU and MU. To request an audio brochure through the post please telephone us on 0207 566 9765.

Local discountsAvailable to IP15 and IP19 in recognition of the support from our new friends in Aldeburgh and old friends in Halesworth.

Festival Day PassThe best way to see the Festival. This ticket buys you entry to a pre-selected number of shows at a discounted price. Each Day Pass is designed to give you a great experience, seeing as much as possible, whilst taking the stress out of choosing and creating a schedule. Let us do the leg-work so you can enjoy the Festival.

Onlinewww.hightide.org.uk

24 hours

By Phone 01603 598606

Mon – Sat 9.30 – 20.00

In Person James Cable Room

White Lion Hotel10th – 20th Sept 2015

Please collect all tickets from the Festival Hub and Box Office at the White Lion Hotel

Workshops and the Literary Event are free but must be booked online in advance due to limited availability.Dream Play and The Big Beach Sing are free but have limited availability - please arrive in good time. To book one of our Sponsored Tickets for Schools and Young People, please call 0207 566 9765.

Documents

HighTide Festival 2015 I 10 - 20 Sept I Aldeburgh, Suffolk