“As we enter our 12th year we are turning over a new leaf and relaunching as The AUTUMN FESTIVAL of Norfolk. For those who have supported over the last decade you will have known us as The Hostry Festival. With our Outreach Programme now engaging with ever more people and places from across the county, our new title helps to illustrate further our ethos of celebrating creativity, inclusion and year-round community. For over 10 extraordinary years this fully independent not-for-profit community interest project has initiated five Festival Signature Projects: The Norfolk Arts Awards, Total Ensemble, Paint Out, The African Choir of Norfolk and The Norfolk Actors Company.
We have commissioned 152 events, worked with at least a thousand volunteers, celebrated many hundreds of artists and our programmes have been enjoyed by over 100,000 people from Norfolk.
We hope you enjoy the lively and joyous content within this new style programme. There is an abundant amount to explore. My love and thanks to all who have enabled this year’s relaunch to take place and I look forward to seeing you at The AUTUMN FESTIVAL of Norfolk”.
STASH KIRKBRIDE
Festival Director
2023 GUEST SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
The Autumn Festival of Norfolk is an annual event for anyone interested in the arts, culture, and heritage of Norfolk. It’s a celebration of creativity, diversity and community, and a must-visit for anyone looking to experience some of the best of the region’s artistic scene.
MICHAEL BILLINGTON ‘Affairs of the Heart
NIGEL PLANER Book One ‘The Time Shard Chronicles
PAUL JACKSON Elsewhere
THE NORFOLK ACTORS COMPANY PRESENTS
LADY WINDERMERES FAN
THE NORFOLK ACTORS COMPANY is the new name for our Central Productions at The AUTUMN FESTIVAL of Norfolk.
Rehearsals began at the beginning of September 2023 for the festival’s Central Production LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN. Oscar Wilde’s masterly observations resonate throughout this lavish and exquisite production. With a cast of 18 this is a comedy drama full of delicious and memorable characters.
Below is a sample of in rehearsal photos – you can browse more on the page for THE NORFOLK ACTORS COMPANY
The Autumn Festival of Norfolk relaunch evening set the stage for an exciting and vibrant season ahead.
The enthusiastic turnout, engaging performances, and lively atmosphere was a testament to the festival’s enduring appeal and the enthusiasm of its dedicated community of supporters.
The Autumn Festival of Norfolk is a community interest organisation that relies on the generosity of donors to help fund our work.
Whilst much of what we produce is made possible by the judicious engagement with trusted and experienced freelancers and very supportive festival partners, along with our wonderful team of volunteers. As with much of the country, this year’s inflationary costs have resulted in increases across the board with rises in all areas including publicity, programming, project management, equipment, resources and venue hire.
To ensure our ticket costs and programme of engagement remains accessible, and to keep the Autumn Festival of Norfolk thriving, please consider helping us with our Additional Funding Target of £15,000.
If you are interested in supporting The Autumn Festival of Norfolk as an individual, please contact our Supporters Liaison team support@autumnfestivalofnorfolk.org
You can also find out more by visiting the How to Support us section of the website.
