Canterbury Festival sees surprise budget increase

MARKETING manager Stephanie Klinge-Davis told
Kent Press there was 'a sigh of relief' when the Arts
Council made the announcement.

THE ARTS Council has announced that the Canterbury Festival will receive an increase in its budget, despite an actual decrease in funding and fierce competition from other bidders.

The festival which attracts over 70,000 people each year will receive a 36% increase in funding for the next three years.

Marketing manager Stephanie Klinge-Davis said that if the festival had not secured funding from the Arts Council it would have been "very disappointing and really bad for the festivals programming."

"The extra money will enable us with our vision of making the festival bigger, better, explore different routes and always improve and continue to offer something for everyone."

The festival director Rosie Turner added: “We are very pleased and relieved that the Arts Council has awarded us a generous amount of funding.”

“It means that the Festival will be able to continue to provide high quality international arts events during October – so thankfully it’s business as usual.

“Some of our artistic colleagues elsewhere in the County have not been so fortunate as there is simply less money in the pot to distribute, but I feel that the Arts Council has demonstrated great care and transparency throughout this difficult process.”

The largest festival in the region will return to Canterbury in October.

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Rapper Vanilla Ice to appear in Chatham panto

CHATHAM'S Central Theatre has announced that former rapper Vanilla Ice will play Captain Hook in this years panto.

The American superstar rose to fame in 1991 with the iconic hit 'Ice Ice Baby' and recently competed on ITV1's Dancing on Ice.

Theatre head Tony Hill said: “Over the past few years we have had some great names at our pantomimes.

“It is fantastic news that we have booked the internationally famous star Vanilla Ice for this year’s pantomime Peter Pan.

“Ice is a huge name who I am sure will be a really draw for parents and children alike because of his musical and film career as well as his appearance on Dancing on Ice.

“Vanilla Ice has never performed in a pantomime before, but I am sure that he will go down as a hit when he plays Captain Hook in Peter Pan this year.”

'Peter Pan' will run at the Central Theatre, Chatham from December 9 - Jan 2, 2012.

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