Performers from the West End and leading opera houses come to Salisbury for Celebrate Voice Festival

Celebrate Voice is back for its 9th Festival year, bringing hand-picked celebrated performers from the West End, leading opera houses and Edinburgh Festival.

For the second time, all events will be held in Salisbury’s Guildhall, providing a magisterial and central location for shows, from opera to cabaret, jazz to community workshops from 20th-29th October 2022.

This year the festival has a ‘best of British’ flavour, in keeping with the Jubilee anniversary, celebrating British performers, composers and writers. All performers are hand-picked by Artistic Director Lynsey Docherty.

Lynsey said, “It’s a privilege each year, to bring international level artists to my home town and to have the support of the Salisbury City Council – gifting us the Guildhall – is a real affirmation of our place in the cultural community.

“The festival is not publicly funded, and therefore a tribute to our local donors, businesses and organisations that support our work each and every year. So many local people are part of it at every stage, and the community that has built around it is something very special indeed!”

What’s on

This year, one of the UK’s leading jazz stars, multi-award-winning singer, Claire Martin OBE performs at the festival for the first time. Described as ‘one of the crown jewels of the jazz world’, she brings an international level of vocal performance now synonymous with the festival’s jazz offer.

A leading British opera cast makes their home in Salisbury from mid-October with local host families, in preparation for 4 performances of The Pirates of Penzance. Between them, the singers have performed at English National Opera, the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, WNO and festivals internationally.

Celebrating British operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan’s hit comedy show is as witty and relevant to contemporary society and politics today, as it was when written. Led by William Morgan as Frederic (Candide, Scottish Opera) the show provides an unrivalled up-close experience to some of today’s leading opera stars.

Olivier Award-winning West End star and actress, Janie Dee, is taking a one-night break from filming a new series for Paramount to bring to Salisbury an evening of ‘Coward & Friends’ with King of Cabaret, Stefan Bednarcyzk. In this specially curated show, celebrating the talent of composer, singer and writer Noel Coward, the audience will feel like they are part of a special, intimate concert with their most musical friends.

2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe sensation, Paulus, presents ‘Looking for me Friend – The Music of Victoria Wood, in his critically acclaimed tribute to one of Britain’s sorely missed national treasures. As part of a special Celebrate Voice cabaret double bill, Caroline Kennedy stars as Bumbleina as an ‘irresistibly funny’ single thirty-something, looking for love via dating app.

Opening the festival this year, and fresh from an acclaimed Edinburgh appearance, Liza Pulman brings her brand new show ‘The Heart of It’ to Salisbury. Well-known as one-third of the comedy trio Fascinating Aida, Pulman is celebrated for her compelling performances and easy interaction with the audience, making her a perfect opening night artist for Celebrate Voice.

“Our much-celebrated community programme will feature workshops and concerts for local people with memory loss and dementia, events for families, and a whole day creating a show with people with learning disabilities in partnership with South Wilts Mencap,” added Lynsey.

Anyone wishing to join the fun and friendly volunteer team, or support Celebrate Voice can contact them at info@celebratevoice.co.uk. In partnership with Salisbury City Council, tickets and the full festival programme are available here.

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