It’s a three-week long cultural

GOING OUT YOUR LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT SCENE Music, talks and comedy for all the family

Canterbury Festival is promising a cultural feast in the autumn. Organisers say the line-up, set to span three weeks, is super-sized.

Highlights of the packed programme include global superstar Gilbert O’sullivan, who returns to the stage and Classic FM favourite, guitarist Miloš, who will perform a programme of music across the centuries from Bach to Beatles.

And the Olivier awardwinning Showstoppers are sure to entertain with incredible improvised all-singing, alldancing production.

The Abode Hotel is set to host The Wedding Reception, an opportunity to become a guest at what is billed as one of the most hilarious social events of the year.

One of Britain’s finest comedians and broadcasters, Marcus Brigstocke, is taking a break from BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show and Just A Minute to lament the current state of the world while raising a smile. From left, Lili La Scala, Wilko Johnson, Monty Don

Over at the Spiegeltent, which will be positioned on the Kingsmead car park this year, Australian circus troupe Circa will take over for three nights with their beautifully-crafted physical feats of daring.

If you prefer cabaret, Mistress of Ceremonies Lili la Scala will be in residence along with some of her most-beloved cabaret reprobates for two nights.

Whether you are a wine lover, a keen gardener, a historian or even a closet punk, there are plenty of fascinating talks.

Oz Clake will bring his wine wisdom to the table, the Gandalf of Gardening Monty Don is coming to help us bloom, historians David Starkey, Tracy Borman and Kate Williams will span

everything from the Magna Carta through to the Roaring Twenties.

Plus Wilko Johnson will look back at his life. Organisers say he will rock your world.

Family activities this October half-term will keep the children busy.

With subjects including Marvellous Medicine, Little Monsters and Magic’s collision with Science, there is plenty to spark the imagination.

But it’s not just about the children. This year the festival is delighted to have a familyfriendly cabaret show, Variety Soup.

Stuffed with wondrous antics and lots of laughs, it is suitable for anyone from seven to 107.

For adults wishing to get creative, why not pop over to the Canterbury Throwdown shop, open for the first two weeks of the festival, where anyone can try their hand at creating a piece of pottery for free?

Marketing manager Rachel Pillard said: “These highlights are just the tip of the iceberg with more than 200 events taking place during the festival, so make sure you take a good look through the festival programme and get scheduling!”

The festival will take place between October 15 and November 5.

For information and to book tickets, visit canterburyfestival.co.uk

The Wedding Reception is billed as one of the most hilarious social events of the year