The Three Choirs Festival has announced that broadcaster, writer and former politician Ed Balls will be joining the festival line up in Gloucester. He will join forces with the Marsyas Trio as the narrator in the Three Little Mammoths on Saturday 29 July. Written by acclaimed children’s author Eoin McLaughlin, with music by Robin Haigh, the Three Little Mammoths is a story of kindness and adventure as we follow the mammoths on their migration to far-off lands. The event will take place in St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester and is one of six family events taking place at the festival between 22 July and 29 July.
Author and illustrator James Mayhew will join the Flowers Band for Magic and Mischief on Sunday 23 July, bringing together art, music and storytelling. Featuring The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and The Firebird, James Mayhew will introduce the tale behind each piece and paint live to the music.
Other family events include The Happy Princess, an opera written for young people and based on the timeless story by Oscar Wilde, and Dream Journeys, an interactive workshop from actor, musician and poet Edward Derbyshire.
A 20% discount is available for anyone booking three or more family events, alongside half-price tickets for families on Universal Credit.
Located outside Gloucester Cathedral, the Festival Village will play host to free entertainment, including the community bandstand, which will feature live music from local performers. There is also the opportunity to dip into a cathedral rehearsal and hear the festival music for free. Activities will be provided for children and the timings can be found at 3choirs.org/rehearsals.
The much-loved family events make up just part of an exciting programme featuring over sixty events and twenty-one premieres. This year’s festival celebrates innovation, with familiar masterpieces taking their place alongside newer works from Gloucestershire composers. As well as the family events and free entertainment, there will be large-scale choral-orchestral concerts, solo recitals, talks and chamber concerts.
For further information about the Three Choirs Festival and to book tickets, visit www.3choirs.org or call the box office on 01452 768928 (Monday–Friday, 10am until 4pm).
