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How did the Nevill Holt festival begin?
The festival grew organically from my lifelong love of opera and the belief that the extraordinary Nevill Holt Estate deserved to be shared. When we built the theatre in 2018, it felt like the obvious next step, but what surprised me was how quickly it became clear that the place could offer so much more than just opera. It seemed mad to keep it to ourselves. We began expanding the programme, bringing in a far wider range of talent and experiences, and the response from audiences has been remarkable. Looking ahead, I want to see us continue to reach new audiences – particularly younger ones – whilst staying loyal to our local communities. The Festival’s future is about deepening that relationship with the East Midlands, growing our cultural education work through the David Ross Education Trust, and continuing to raise the bar year after year. There have been so many incredible acts over the past few years. Do you have any personal favourites? It’s incredibly difficult to choose. During last year’s festival, seeing Richard E. Grant hold an audience completely in his hands, or the Harlem Jazz Orchestra filling the Spiegeltent with their extraordinary energy – those are evenings you don’t forget. Then there are the quieter moments of discovery: watching a DRET student perform on that stage, perhaps for the first time, in front of a proper audience. The world-class productions are thrilling, but witnessing someone discover a genuine passion for the arts – that’s what this is all for. As for this year, if it’s a local connection you’re after, we have everyone’s favourite cricket commentator and Leicestershire’s own Jonathan Agnew – who will be returning to the festival in conversation with Jim Carter and Dame Imelda Staunton. The LoKeys, a band from down the road in Rutland, will also be performing. What do you hope visitors will get from experiencing the festival? More than anything, I hope they leave having discovered something they didn’t expect. That might be a love of opera they never knew they had, or a comedian who makes them laugh until it hurts, or simply the experience of walking through these extraordinary gardens as the sun sets and feeling, just for a moment, that life is rather wonderful. We work incredibly hard to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and joyful – not exclusive or intimidating. Everyone who comes through our gates deserves to feel that this place is for them. If visitors leave with that sense of discovery, and with the urge to come back next year and bring someone new with them, then we’ve done our job. For a full line up of who is appearing at this year’s festival, as well as details on how to book tickets and dining, head to: www.nevillholtfestival.com
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Issue 29
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