March 28 – 2008, the best Festival yet
By Lindsey Newton, Bury Free Press - Nick Wells has managed the Bury St Edmunds Festival for eight years and, despite his long-standing tenure, believes that in 2008 he has created the best Festival yet.
He said: "This year's Festival is going extremely well – tickets sales are strong and we are out-selling last year. "There is a great line-up, with a diverse mix of artists from symphony orchestras, to jazz trios, to brass bands. "We also have a world cinema series and free-running workshops and there will be something for everyone – I think this is the best Festival yet."
Mr Wells has already had positive feedback about this year's programme. "Many people have congratulated me on the line-up and the brightly coloured brochure – the response has just been amazing," he said.
"I'm glad it has been so well received and I hope as many people as possible come along to the events."
Mr Wells added that he thought Bury was a fantastic town and just the right size for such a festival. "In cities, events like this can be lost, but the Bury Festival really is at the heart of the town," he said. "I'm looking forward to everything, but in particular I want to see the world cinema series, Jazz Jamaica, the Jacques Loussier Trio and you can't beat a symphony orchestra in the cathedral. "I have a fantastic team who help me and without them the Festival wouldn't go ahead."
Although the Festival is only two weeks long, Mr Wells said organising the event was a year-round full-time job. "People always ask me what I do when the festival isn't on and the answer is I'm working on the following Festival – researching artists and booking venues. "One artist is already booked for the 2009 festival and the fees have been arranged. "I have also received an email about a potential act for 2010, so the wheels are always in motion.
Tickets are available through Festival box office on 01284 769505 or or via the Theatre Royal website.
