Wordsmiths gather at the Foxlowe for literary event

‘We want to show creative people they can succeed in their chosen form of expression’

LEEK will play host to a stunning array of songwriters, musicians, poets, actors and playwrights when the Wordplay Festival takes place on Saturday, June 4 at the Foxlowe Arts Centre.

“This festival will give budding artists and writers the opportunity not just to listen and enjoy but to interact and learn across a whole range of the mediums,” said Teresa Pattison of Stamp Arts, organiser of the festival.

“We aim to create a network that will open up opportunities to talented local people who aspire to become professional artists.”

Among the many highlights will be a scratch performance by six actors on the Midlands Screen Acting School masterclass course.

The course is run by the highly successful acting coach and casting agent Amanda Andrews. Separate workshops will focus on drama for teenagers and for younger children.

Tim Bradshaw, keyboard player with the David Gray Band, will lead a workshop on songwriting. Rosa Torr, award winning playwright and Creative Lives producer at BBC Norfolk will run a session on playwriting.

There will be poetry in the form of a workshop led by award winning poet Jamie

Thrasivoulou from Derby. Other attractions include sessions on screen writing, harmony singing and a howto (and how not-to) guide to self-publishing from Leek’s best-selling historical fiction writer David Cliffe.

A Jamming and Improvisation tent will provide the chance for artists across the different skills to collaborate.

“Above all, we want to show creative people that they can succeed in their chosen form of expression,” said Teresa. “The Wordplay Festival will give them a platform to develop their talents and hopefully, a network they can build careers on, if they choose.”