Much-loved comedians Sara Pascoe, Mark Watson, and cult favourites Dane Baptiste, Jen Brister and more announced as part of the impressive comedy offering, with exceptional Edinburgh Festival Fringe previews from Evelyn Mok and Matt Winning.
Larmer Tree Festival have unveiled their third wave of acts, including vibrant comedy from Sara Pascoe, Mark Watson, Dane Baptiste and Jen Brister, plus hand-picked theatre and performance from Salisbury Playhouseby former Squeeze member, Nick Harper, and multiple independent collectives, alongside new live music additions.
COMEDY & PERFORMANCE
Unveiling their latest additions to the incredible line up, Larmer Tree Festival announce that Sara Pascoe will bring her intelligent and unique brand of humour to the stage following the release of an award winning book about femininity and sexuality, and a string of hilarious television appearances, while the incredible Mark Watsonwill return to Larmer Tree Festival for the first time since his acclaimed slot at 2014’s Festival to exhibit his raw and searingly funny self-expression. Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Dane Baptiste, will also be on hand to further cement his place as an original and provocative voice, confronting and questioning both the personal and the political.
Adding to the innovative comedy programme, Jen Brister will be showcasing her winning brand of honest and hilarious humour, Alice Fraser brings her smart and unique voice to the Festival for the first time and Sean McLoughlin will add his riotously cynical humour to the comedy club alongside all round modern showman Charlie Barker and the irresistibly energetic Felicity Ward.
Expect expertly curated theatre and shows for all ages, from the mesmerising Nick Harper's A Wiltshire Tale, to the laugh out loud Living Spit, and unexpected pop up theatre throughout the Festival, alongside surprises from Life Boat, Intergalactic Circus of Truths, and many more.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival acts will also be previewing at Larmer Tree, with performances such as Bubble Buttfrom Evelyn Mok, and razor sharp Rhys Nicholson’s Seminal. Watch Athena Kugblenu’s dynamic comedy Follow the Leader and witness Matt Winning harnessing his knowledge as a practising environmental economist to create a high concept comedy lecture on climate change with Climate Strange.
TALKS
A selection of thought provoking talks and panels have been programmed to satisfy curious minds, including Hidden Histories and Heroines hosted by Sara Veal of Huhbub and showcasing award-winning authors Jasper Fforde, Viv Groskop and Catherine Johnson. With captivating conversation from the figures behind Black Lives Matter and Empowering Women, expect discussions of their continuing inspirations that span different eras and worlds whilst reflecting on both real-life and literary heroines throughout the ages. With more talks to be announced, the acclaimed Stand Up & Slam will also be present, seeing six phenomenal acts go head to head as poetry and comedy collide.
LIVE MUSIC
Announcing a fresh array of musical acts, Larmer Tree reveal that Broken Brass Ensemble will join the eclectic musical line-up, combining the powers of funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul for a blazing mix of brass energy. Icelandic quintet Mammút will add their volcanic shape-shifting rock sound and Flamingods will be showcasing their genre-bending musical exploration and experimentation. As well as a performance from alternative soul-star Tawiah, London-born Chelou will deliver his ambient self-made sound to the Larmer Tree line-up alongside anarchic folk four-piece Lankum and French pop force Halo Maud. The Well Oiled Sisters will join up and coming artists Lilla Vargen, Noya Rao, Penya and Tom Speight complete the live music offering.
ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS
With an array of creative activities available, festival goers can get crafty with guided workshops for all ages. There's loads to do, including learning the ancient heritage craft of the Dorset Button, relaxing into Chill and Quill or making your own Boho Banner. Get invigorated by Samba Drumming or inspired by Writing in the Woods and get involved in Yoga and Tai Chi. New this year, the Festival will offer the opportunity to learn an exciting new skill in a selection of carefully chosen evening workshops, where attendees will be able to print and design their own clothes in a Screen Printing session, be guided through the art of Signwriting or even make their own Festival Espadrilles in these exclusively limited activities available to book on-site.
Larmer Tree Gardens is set on the border of Dorset and Wiltshire and offers the perfect getaway from the city. Also new to 2018, the Festival will see the exciting addition of the Larmer Spa, where Festival-goers will be able to unwind through the day and evening with indulgent hot tubs, a sauna yurt, and a Bedouin chill out lounge nestled deep in the woods.
Larmer Tree Festival offers a truly unique and immersive experience with an incredible curation of music, comedy, performance art and activities to delight Festival-goers of all ages, and creativity around every corner. The forward thinking programming and innovative, diverse selection of acts showcasing their talents at this incredible event undoubtedly make the long awaited return of Larmer Tree Festival unmissable
Published on 11 April 2018 by Ben Robinson
Larmer Tree Festival 2018 Sara Pascoe
