News

Wychwood Festival Confirms Line Up

• 28th May 2012

Wychwood Festival today unveils the dedicated Lil' Fat Comedy Stage with three days of the best UK talent. Friday's highlights includes Edinburgh Fringe festival favourite Anna Keirle, actor turned comedian Christian Steel and Welsh sensation Dan Mitchell who recently supported Ross Noble on tour. Saturday sees Sam Harland bringing anecdotes from his experiences of drug addiction, rehab and detention centres, tales of failings in love from Tony Simpson, fresh and punchy, gag-driven comic Jonathon Elston, the award winning Matt Richardson and BBC1's Stand-Up Show and Wychwood favourite Liverpudlian in-exile, Silky. Comedian, actress and writer Carly Smallman will open the Sunday night comedy joined by the award winning Jim Smallman, regular TV panellist for the likes of Russell Howard's Good News and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Tony Law and headlining the evening's hilarity will be firm favourite Chortle Comedy Award winner and Pot Noodle star Jarred Christmas. In addition, the final music acts are today confirmed with reggae and world music sensation Barak plus Three Beards, Affairs and a plethora of artists, solidifying Wychwood Festival as the place to be this summer. Wychwood stands tall as the UK's leading family and boutique festival taking place 8th-10th June on Cheltenham Racecourse. Limited tickets are available via the Wychwood website.

The Lil’ Fat Comedy Stage in association with eFestivals.co.uk presents the finest comedic talents from around the UK. Friday night's MC will be Wychwood regular Nick Page, with sharp gags mixed in with wonderful, and sadly true, stories. Nick will be introducing comedy natural and Edinburgh Fringe festival favourite Anna Keirle who will be joined by actor turned comic Christian Steel. Welsh comic Dan Mitchell is a highly creative and original thinker with an obvious love of language, animals and cake and boasts accolades such as a supporting tour with Ross Noble and prides himself on being very hairy!

The Saturday night comedy programme includes Sam Harland whose comedy focuses around past experiences of life spent engulfed with years of drug addiction, rehab and detention centres. Tony Simpson will take to the stage sharing tales of his failings to find love, seeing audiences laugh and cringe in equal measure. At just 22 years of age, Jonathan Elston is a fresh, punchy, gag-driven comic who combines sharp joke writing and quirky observations with a youthful likability that charms his audience. Award winning comedian Matt Richardson will be up next up and is well known as one of the most exciting new acts on the comedy circuit. We also see the return of Liverpudlian-in-exile Silky, who has been a full time comedian for half his life. As well as being a Wychwood favourite, he's recognisable from several TV appearances including BBC1’s Stand-Up Show.

Musical comedian, actress and writer Carly Smallman opens the Sunday night comedy. Carly has been busy performing all over Europe, with her unique blend of outrageous impropriety and adorable sincerity, leading to a spot on The Rob Brydon Show and several other TV appearances.Jim Smallman first entered into comedy whilst working as a shop assistant, but soon won the New Comedian of the Year 2007 award. Tony Law is a regular panellist, appearing on shows such asRussell Howard’s Good News and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Wychwood's headline act is the wonderful Jarred Christmas. Originally from New Zealand, but now living in the UK, Jarred has won the Chortle Comedy Award for Best Compere, appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week and Celebrity Mastermind. He is also recognisable from the Pot Noodle adverts!

Wychwood Festival today reveals the final acts secured to perform at this year's Festival. Completing the billing on the main stage will be Baraka fusing musical styles from Ghana, Senegal, Dominica and Ireland. Bringing their sensational sound, combining reggae and world influences, they are the perfect act to bring the sunshine to Wychwood.

Three Beards will perform on Friday. Drawing on Eastern European influences and the dark traditions of East Anglian folklore, this eight piece band play tight and chaotic compositions taking festival revelers on a journey from the heights of the East European mountains to vast vistas of Norfolk’s beaches. Joining Saturday's already impressive line-up, Affairs combine intense vocals, intricate guitars, tropical percussion and electro samples. Finally, more local bands are confirmed for the Pomme Stage with Simplistic Scientists, a Roots Hip Hop Spoken Word collective and Midlands leading singer songwriter Chris Whiting.

Wychwood Festival today announces for the first year they are offering revelers the chance to experience a little luxury across the three days. Luxury Camping facilities includes the Hotel Bell Tent, a hassle free delight that will revolutionise the camping experience creating an unforgettable and magical experience. Filled with lavish home comforts and a truly unique space to unwind after dancing through the day and night, it is ideal for families, groups of friends or couples looking for something extraordinary. Each beautiful canvas bell tent are dressed with ‘camping with soul’ accessory range, luxury inflatable mattresses, hand loomed rugs, coir door mats for muddy boots, a tea light chandelier, low level hand painted tables and 100% Egyptian cotton bedding and towels. Festival heaven.

Famed for delivering a truly family-focused festival experience, Wychwood leads the way with innovative programming designed to delight children as well as wonderful music from around the world to entertain the adults. Since launching in 2005, Wychwood has become one of the UK’s most successful independent arts events of the summer season and been nominated in the ‘Best Family Festival’ category at the UK Festival Awards every single year. Taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse from 8th-10th June and set against the picturesque backdrop of the Prestbury Hills, Gloucestershire, Wychwood Festival is charming in both setting and content and one not to be missed. Tickets are now on sale and available from the official festival website.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Weekend Festival Tickets
Weekend Adult: £115
Weekend Disabled 2 for 1: £115
Weekend Youth/Concession: £55
Weekend 5-9 Year Old: £15
Under 5: FREE (but ticketed)

Day Festival Tickets
Friday Adult: £37
Friday Youth/Concession: £24
Friday 10 -15 Year Old: £20
Friday 5 – 9 Year Old: £10
Under 5: FREE (but ticketed)

Saturday Adult: £53
Saturday Youth/Concession: £40
Saturday 10 -15 Year Old: £20
Saturday 5 – 9 Year Old: £10
Under 5: FREE (but ticketed)

Sunday Adult: £43
Sunday Youth/Concession: £30
Sunday 10 -15 Year Old: £20
Sunday 5 – 9 Year Old: £10
Under 5: FREE (but ticketed)

Booking Fees
Credit/Debit Card (per paid ticket): £2
Cheque/PO: FREE
Postage & Recorded Delivery: £3

Camping Passes (Weekend)
Adult Weekend: £20
Adult Weekend in Campervan/Caravan/Live in Vehicle: £35
Weekend Youth/Concession Weekend: £10
Under 16 Weekend: FREE

Camping Passes (Day)
Adult Day: £10
Adult Day in Live in Vehicle: £15
Youth/Concession Day: £5
Under 16 Day: FREE

Please Note: Customers should indicate if they intend to bring under 5s as they will be issued with a ticket in 2012.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION:
To purchase tickets call 01993 772 580 or visit the official festival website

VENUE INFORMATION:
Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH