PRESS RELEASE

27 June 2016– Petworth Festival (Thursday14toSaturday 30 July) has announced a multitude of show-stopping performances for families. Highlights include brilliant touring theatre companyIllyria with theirlatest production of Roald Dahl’s “Dannythe Champion of the World”adapted by David Wood; Science Blast: The Great Scientists, a must for any family with a budding Professor Brian Cox in its midst; and Showstoppers! The improvised musical whose current West End show won an Olivier award earlier this year for ‘Best Entertainment & Family Show’. Last but certainly not least, the National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain and National Youth Jazz Orchestrapay tribute to Shakespeare in his 400th anniversary year with a national concert tour entitled “The Play’s The Thing”.

Artistic Director Stewart Collins commented, “Asalways, family audiences are very much part of the Festival’s focus.Our offering for families is designed to be educational, inspiring as well as entertaining and this year’s acts promise to combine the very best of music and theatre from the West End whilst promoting the talents of the brightest young musicians in the UK. We’re also sharing in the Nation’s celebrations of Shakespeare with a repertoire that brings the school curriculum to life in a meaningful, inspirational and highly entertaining way.”

Audiences are invited to participate in a variety of family performances:

  • 2.30pm on Sunday 17 July at Bignor Park, Pulborough - In their 25th anniversary year, Petworth Festival welcomes back the exceptional touring theatre company Illyria. Recognised as one of the country’s most inventive interpreters of Roald Dahl’s work, Illyria presentsDanny the Champion of the World. Adapted for thestage by David Wood, this stunning production takes place in the gardens of Bignor Park for a picnicexperience like noother.
    Sponsors display winning artworks and promote budding young artists
    The Young Arts programme of West Sussex Decorative and Fine Arts Society (WSDFAS), sponsors of Danny the Champion of the World,has just announced the winner of its latest children’s competition. Following the success of the extremely successful PopUp Art Exhibiton at last year’s Petworth Festival, WSDFAS has this year invited pupils of local primary schools to create an image to publicise the event at Bignor Park. There were 50 entrants in a variety of media from pupils at four schools: St Mary's Pulborough, Fittleworth Village CE School, St James Coldwaltham and Amberley School. The winner is Maddie Year 5 Fittleworth C of E Village School whose work was beautifully and thoughtfully presented and demonstrated a lot of care, imagination and vibrancy. Maddie will receive tickets for the show for herself and her family and a book token. Maddie’s winning entry as well as those of other entrants will be displayed at Danny the Champion of the World on 17 July, online at will feature as part of a poster campaign in the local area.
  • 12 noon on Sunday 24 July at Leconfield Hall, Petworth - Sweeping cobwebs from the Bard – his language, his life, his world – actor Ben Crystal reveals man and work as relevant, accessible and alive. His book “Shakespeare on Toast” is for everyone, smashing down the walls that have often made Shakespeare untouchable and reminding us that the Bard actually invented popular culture.
  • 3pm on Sunday 24 July at Leconfield Hall, Petworth–Definitely one for the children Science Blast: The Great Scientists. Our guide, Professor Kaos, introduces us to the lives of nine of the world’s great scientists with the help of highly dangerous experiments involving explosives, chemicals, high voltage electricity and cheese sandwiches!
  • 7.45pm on Thursday 28 July at Leconfield Hall, Petworth- Showstoppers!The Improvised Musical is a great show for all ages 14 years and over and delivers spontaneous musical comedy at its best. So whether you fancy Sondheim on a ski lift or Cole Porter in Poundland – audiences suggest it and the Showstoppers will sing it!
  • 7.30pm on Friday 29 July at Midhurst Rother College - National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain and National Youth Jazz Orchestra - some of the most talented young musicians in the UK have joined together to bring “The Play’s The Thing”, a programme that features a diverse range of music inspired by Shakespeare’s plays and poetry, including Duke Ellington’s Such Sweet Thundersuite, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Three Shakespeare Songs.

The Petworth Festival provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best music and talent outside London at affordable prices. Adult tickets start from just £6 per person, 18 and under can often come for free.

For more information, become a sponsor or friend or volunteer, please contact the festival office on 01798 343055 or email

--ENDS –

NOTESTO EDITORS
PetworthFestivalhas been celebrating thevery best in classical and choral music,jazz, comedy and theatre for the past37 years. Founded by composer Robert Walker, itis to this day spearheaded byLord & Lady Egremont of Petworth House. Its smaller, butno less importantevent, thePetworth Festival Literary Weekend, has been runningfor five years and gives audiencesa chance to hear some of the UK's favourite authorsand poets talking abouttheir work, giving readings and signing books. For more information, visit

Media contact:

For artist photos, further information, to arrangean interview with Stewart Collins, theArtistic Director or find out how tocontact any of the artists on the programme, please contact:

Julie Aguilar on 01798 343982 or 07794 822761
Email: