Te Isle of Arts Festival 15 to17 April 2011
Words and pictures by Lucy Boynton
From time to time something happens that transcends the daily humdrum and just for a moment lifts us up, makes us smile and reminds us just how good life can be. I had one of those moments during the first ever Isle of Arts Festival.
I WAS walking towards the marquee, erected on the cliff top in Ventnor overlooking the Bay below, a lone kite was circling in the blue sky and the most beautiful sound I had ever heard came drifting towards me on the breeze. When I reached the huge tent, I discovered Lesley Garrett doing a final rehearsal before her performance the same evening. Needless to say attending that particular event quickly became my priority. As well as the marquee venue, which played host to the biggest names at the festival, Isle of Arts had a strong presence all over the town, utilising a range of venues to showcase a vastly eclectic line-up. Te scope of the event ensured that happy festival-
goers filled the streets and beach, which added an extra dimension to the already great atmosphere. Te festival began with a dose of satire and sardonic
wit, courtesy of Rich Hall, an American comedian most will have encountered whilst watching telly favourites QI or Live at the Apollo. He delighted a sell-out audience with brilliant observational jokes and improvised songs about members of the audience and added a local flavour by singing about Blackgang Chine falling into the sea. From the hilarious to the sublime, I was back with
Lesley Garrett on Saturday night, this time under more formal circumstances. Named ‘Massed Voices’,
the performance was
primarily by a number of superb local choirs, each of which performed over the course of the evening with Miss Garrett herself to amazing effect. On Sunday I spent a very pleasant hour chatting
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LEFT: Barry Norman shares his immense filmm knowledge. ABOVE: Edward Fox speaks and takes questions from listeners. TOP: Lesley Garrett with choir belts out a few numbers.
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Rich Hall was just one of the famous faces to grace the Island.
with Tony Trowbridge, a local artist, whose work can be seen all over London as well as in his Studio in Sandown. Tony spent the weekend producing a one off piece of art in front of a live audience, which provided an unusual insight into the methods used by this very talented man.
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