News / Lightship Theatre
The Lightship Arts Festival prepares to launch
Built in 1885 in Bristol and moored in Redcliffe, the John Sebastian, Light Vessel 55 is one of only two floating wooden lightships left in the world.
Home to the Cabot Cruising Club, it has been repurposed in recent years as The Lightship Theatre, and is now set to host The Lightship Arts Festival over 9 days, from March 12-20.
There are numerous events planned, spanning art, jazz, classical, pop and folk music, storytelling, theatre, magic and family entertainment.
The organisers are hopeful that the festival will enable lots of visitors to enjoy the ship “for social, cultural and sporting activities long into the future – as a unique and very special community venue in a vibrant part of Bristol”.
Bristol 24/7 takes a look at some of the programme highlights:
March 12-19, multiple times: Clifton Arts – a free art exhibition bringing together over 30 pieces of original art for sale, many of them on a theme of ‘water and the sea’.
Painting by Julia Maleeva, who will be exhibiting at The Lightship Arts Festival – photo: courtesy of Clifton Arts
March 12, 7.30pm: Instant Wit! – a quick-fire comedy improvisation show featuring local talent including Peta Maurice (Five Children & It, Theatre Royal Bath; Pinocchio, Tobacco Factory Theatres), legendary Bristol musician Colin Smith (The Regz, Nuttyness and Smith & Fair) plus Artistic Directors Chris Grimes and Stephanie Weston.
March 15-19, 7.30pm: Set Adrift – a powerful play by Briony Pope (unsuitable for children), described as “an intense modern drama about three turbulent days in a riverside farmhouse in Somerset”.
Poster for Set Adrift, by Briony Pope – photo: Briony Pope
March 19, 2.30pm: New Tales of the Old Sea – local writers share brand new stories, poems and monologues “to surprise and delight” (unsuitable for children).
Photo: Lightship Arts Festival
March 20, 3pm and 4.15pm: Bubble Bach – a 30 minute live music performance of Bach and accompanying bubbles, from Music for Miniatures and Crescendo Concerts.
The Lightship Arts Festival is at The Lightship Theatre, Cabot Cruising Club, John Sebastian Quay, Redcliffe, BS1 6SG from March 12-20. For full festival listings and tickets for all events, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk.
Main photo: Instant Wit!
Read more: Review: Queen Lear, The Lightship Theatre
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