Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce the return of The Festival at Hampstead Theatre for a third year running, which will take place on 10 - 12 February 2017. The Festival will showcase over 20 unique events including workshops and panel discussions featuring some of the most interesting figures in the UK today, such as Mike Leigh, Howard Brenton, Michael Rosen, Meera Syal, James Graham, Freddie Fox and Kate Mosse.

Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director Edward Hall and Festival producer Issy van Randwyck have invited a wide variety of artists to share their stories and processes of work.

Edward Hall said:

‘Hampstead Theatre is thrilled to be bringing back The Festival for its third year after its incredible success in 2015 and 2016. The 2017 programme will continue to give attendees the opportunity to meet some of the most original thinkers in British culture today and discover new insights into the wonderful worlds they work in.’

The Festival at Hampstead Theatre is proud to be supported by The Evening Standard as its media partner and Daunt Books at its official book supplier. The Festival’s full listings are outlined below. 

Prices: Full price per event, £12 / Concessions, (seniors, U30s, students) £10 / Under 18, £8

Multi-ticket offer: 3 events for £30 / 5 events for £45 / 8 events for £70

 

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

 

FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY

 

The Power of Poetry in Today’s World

An in-depth discussion on the ways in which poetry remains a powerful form of expression in modern society

            Time: 11am

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Fiona Mountford(Chair), Mona Arshi, Sally Carruthers, Glyn Maxwell

 

Stories with Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell: Ages 5 - 11

Michael Rosen performs a selection of his award-winning poems and stories in a lively event for all the family, with live drawing from Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell

            Time: 2pm and 5pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Main Stage

            Participants: Chris Riddell, Michael Rosen

 

Dramatising the Facts

What role does truth have to play in creating theatre?

            Time: 1pm

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Sarah Sands (Chair), Lolita Chakrabarti, James Graham

 

The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector: Documentary screening and Q&A

A screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary, exploring the story behind one of the most notorious men of the music industry

            Time: 8pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants: Edward Hall (Chair), Vikram Jayanti

 

SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY

 

Casting Around

A behind the scenes insight into the complex world of casting

            Time: 11am

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Edward Hall (Chair), Hilary Bevan Jones, Susie Parriss, Meera Syal

 

How to… Write a Children’s Book

Practical tips in writing for a young reader

            Time: 11.30am

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants to be announced

 

From Fringe to West End: Producing a Show

How to produce a sure-fire hit show, whatever the venue.

            Time: 12.45pm

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Libby Purves (Chair), Jonathan Church, Emma Hall, Greg Ripley-Duggan

 

How to… Write a Play with Howard Brenton

Join award-winning playwright Howard Brenton for a playwriting workshop

            Time: 2.15pm

            Location: Rehearsal Room

            Participants: Howard Brenton

 

How to Write… A Play with James Fritz

Join award-winning playwright James Fritz for a playwriting workshop

            Time: 5pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants: James Fritz

 

Post Script: A Performance of New Writing

This intriguing event looks at where some of literature’s best-loved characters go from where their authors left off.

            Time: 8pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants: Joanna David, Gemma Rogers, Isobel Rogers

 

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY

 

Storytelling Workshop: Ages 5 - 7

Fun, creativity and storytelling for children ages 5 - 7

            Time: 10.30am

            Location: Lower Foyer

            Participants: Philippa Francis

 

Harry Potter: Boy. Wizard. Hero.

Celebrating the Harry Potter books. Suitable for ages 7+

            Time: 11am

            Location: Hampstead’s Main Stage

            Participants: Fleur Alexander

 

Drama Workshops with WAC Arts: Ages 7 - 9

Come and join the fun in this engaging drama class run by Wac Arts, suitable for young performers of all abilities.

            Time: 11.15am

            Location: Rehearsal Room

            Participants to be announced

 

How to… Write a Book

Writing workshop to help create compelling storylines

            Time: 11.45am

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Sean McCann, Stephanie Merritt (aka S.J Parris)

 

Musical Theatre Workshop: Ages 5 - 11

A musical theatre workshop for ages 5 – 11

            Time: 12.45pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants: Tom Attwood, Tim Godwin

 

Film Reading: Four Weddings and a Funeral

An onstage reading of Richard Curtis’ iconic film

            Time: 1pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Main Stage

            Cast to be announced

 

Illustration Workshop: Ages 8 - 10

Learn how to bring your imagination to life through illustration

            Time: 2.30pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants to be announced

 

The Theatre of Fashion

Kerry Taylor interviews multi-media production designer Michael Howells

            Time: 2.45pm

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Kerry Taylor (Chair), Michael Howells

 

From Page to Screen: The Durrells

Behind the scenes of ITV’s popular series, The Durrells

            Time: 4.30pm

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Kate Mosse (Chair), Christopher Hall, Simon Nye

 

Creating Who Do You Think You Are?

Behind the scenes of this hugely popular television series

            Time: 5.45pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Main Stage

            Participants: Alex Graham (Chair), Leo Burley

 

Playing with Shakespeare: Ages 13 - 18

Discover Shakespeare with members of award-winning Shakespearean company, Propeller

            Time: 6pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Rehearsal Room

            Participants: Alasdair Craig, Tam Williams

 

Poetry by Freddie Fox

Freddie Fox reads his poetry, introduced by film director Michael Hoffman

            Time: 6.30pm

            Location: Hampstead Downstairs

            Participants: Michael Hoffman (Chair), Freddie Fox

 

In Conversation with Mike Leigh

An evening with one of Britain’s greatest writers and directors for film, television and stage

            Time: 7.45pm

            Location: Hampstead’s Main Stage

            Participants: Kate Mosse (Chair), Mike Leigh

 

Throughout The Festival, attendees can also enjoy Exposure, an exhibition of artwork from Anneka Rice. Anneka has taken her paints to the rehearsal room of the Central School of Ballet and to the West End musical Sunny Afternoon, drawing and painting quickly to capture the poignancy and energy of performance.