A top-ranking brass band, a magical night at the musicals, and a screening of a classic British film are among the highlights of a now 21-year old Merseyside arts festival this June.
Wingates Brass Band open the 10-day Prescot Festival programme in style on Friday 20 June, with local professional vocalists performing the following day in ‘Songs from the Shows’.
The week continues with events that include a screening on Tuesday 24 June of Willy Russell’s now-legendary 1977 film Our Day Out, as it approaches its 50th anniversary. Award-winning Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats perform on Friday 27 June, in a concert of swing standards with star soloists.
To mark the third birthday of Prescot’s Shakespeare North Playhouse, the festival presents an afternoon of opera highlights on Wednesday 25 June in the venue’s own Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, with the world premiere of Emily Parr’s one-act play Two Steps Back in the Studio Theatre the same evening. Festival proceedings come to a close with an eagerly awaited return appearance from Liverpool’s Phoenix Concert Orchestra, in a special concert for their 25th anniversary on Sunday 29 June.
Liverpool Bach Collective, ceilidh band Two Left Feet, and young vocal sensations Hope Street Consort are all on this year’s line-up, along with musical showcases for the choral and instrumental talents of local primary school students.
Artistic Director Dr Robert Howard said:
“As we reach the 21st birthday of the Prescot Festival, it remains an incredible joy and an honour to be able to offer this annual celebration of community music-making and local artistic talent. This year we look forward to festival events in collaboration with the pioneering Shakespeare North Playhouse, and much-anticipated return performances from outstanding local ensembles such as Wingates Band, Dr Jazz, and Phoenix Orchestra.”
Festival-goers also have the opportunity to play a part themselves, by joining a Come-&-Sing choir for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem on 28 June, competing in the 2025 Prescot Festival Short Story Competition, or by joining in the barn dance on 26 June.
The 21st Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 June. Tickets go on sale on 1 May from Poco Bar & Cafe at 30 Eccleston Street, L34 5QJ (cash only) or online at prescotfestival.co.uk. Please note that tickets for 25 June’s Shakespeare North Playhouse events are available exclusively from the theatre itself, in person or online here.
Full programme details are also online at prescotfestival.co.uk.
Photo: Wingates Brass Band at the 20th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts (credit: David Wong)
