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FOLKESTONE AMPHITHEATRE PULLS IN THE CROWDS

The entertainment lined up for this summer at Folkestone’s Amphitheatre is pulling in the crowds.

The programme kicked off with a theatre performance of E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It, which attracted in excess of 450 people. The production by award-winning travelling theatre company, Illyria, thrilled the mainly family audience with spectacular costumes, brilliant humour and superb acting.

Each Sunday afternoon between 2.00-4.30pm sees a variety of musical entertainment. So far the audiences, averaging 200-300, have enjoyed blues from John Pearson, gifted Irish singer/songwriter Don Mescall, music from the 20s and 30s from the Shanghai Syncopated Orchestra and, last Sunday, a fiery mixed bag of folk, country rhythm and blues and Caribbean from The Rattlers.

On Saturday evening, as part of Folkestone’s first ever Summer Music Festival, which incorporates Charivari Day, there’s a brilliant line up of local bands and DJs. Co-ordinated by the Go Folkestone Action Group, the evening of entertainment starts at 7pm and finishes at 10pm.

Bringing the 4-day Festival to an end, the Amphitheatre - with its magnificent backdrop of a wide, blue sweep of sea - sees the first appearance of o­ne of Sussex’s most popular bands, Pass the Cat. Eminently danceable, the band plays an eclectic and funky mix of original material with a few carefully chosen covers, ranging from Ani di Franco thru Lou Reed, The Be Good Tanya's, and the occasional Eminem. The band will play o­n Sunday afternoon from 2.00 – 4.30pm.

The full programme of entertainment, which also includes an Open Stage Showcase, Teddy Bears’ Picnic, and workshops for African drumming, DJ and music technology and circus skills can be obtained by calling Shepway District Council’s Arts Development Officer, Amanda Oates, o­n 01303 852464 or follow this link to the Out and About page o­n the Hawkinge Gazette website.