The organisers of one of the country’s longest-running festivals are looking forward to welcoming back past performers to take part in their centenary celebrations this month.
Acclaimed soprano Rachel Nicholls, West End musical theatre performer, Ellie Collett and RADA graduate, Mila Carter will join 81-year-old Josephine Gurr, Bedford Choral Society and more for the centenary concert at Bedford Corn Exchange on Sunday 16 October.
The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama was founded in 1921 and is a showcase for the wealth of talent in the amateur performing arts in the area.
Attracting over 2,000 performers over nine days, the Festival covers musical genres including Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Asian music, as well as varied Speech and Drama classes and there are categories for school groups, Special School groups, orchestras, wind bands, junior and senior choirs and group creative performances.
Originally called Bedfordshire Eisteddfod, the Bedfordshire Festival takes place each March in the Corn Exchange, Harpur Suite, Howard Room and Kings House.
On Sunday 16 October, a special Centenary Concert is being held, welcoming back past performers and shining a spotlight on our rising stars of the future.
Among those taking part is Josephine Gurr who has been taking part in the Festival since 1955 at the age of 14.
Josephine, aged 81, first took part in 1955 and again in 1956 and then continued most years until she was 60. She then made an appearance back again aged 73, 75 and now at 81.
“Singing duets with my daughter is a fond memory that I will always treasure,” said Josephine.
“My biggest personal achievement, apart from winning trophies, was to receive a standing ovation at the Winner’s Final Concert when I was 75 years old. I like the atmosphere and singing at a lovely venue, with an accomplished pianist.”
Also performing will be Festival alumni Ellie Collett, Rachel Nichols and Mila Carter.
Olivier Award nominee Ellie Collett, who despite coming last in the Musical Theatre category, has played performed in Les Miserables, Wicked and Mamma Mia in the West End.
Ellie says she is hugely honoured to be part of the celebrations and that the Festival was an important part of her formative years.
Recent RADA graduate, Mila Carter is also returning for the Centenary Concert. She took part in the festival from the age of seven and had this advice for anyone considering taking part in next year’s competition.
“Go for it! It’s so exciting to get out of your comfort zone and you will learn so much from others. It’s such a safe setting to test the waters of performance and try something new.”
Soprano Rachel Nicholls, who took part in the festival from 1989 until 1993 said that her most memorable performance was singing solo in Bedford Corn Exchange as a 13-year-old.
“I can still remember the mixture of excitement and terror,” she said.
“Meeting musicians from other schools was fantastic and getting feedback from the highly respected adjudicators was a real privilege.”
As part of the celebrations, a plaque was unveiled by Bedfordshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, Susan Lousada.
Following the unveiling of the centenary plaque at the Corn Exchange, Mrs Lousada said: “I am delighted to unveil this beautiful plaque to mark 100 years of the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama at the Festival’s home here at Bedford Corn Exchange.
“The Festival is a wonderful organisation, which has given the people in the county, young and old, the opportunity to perform for audiences at some of the finest venues in Bedford over the past century.
“I’m very much looking forward to coming to the Festival’s Centenary Concert at the Corn Exchange to see some of the most talented performers from past festivals.”
You can book tickets to the Centenary Concert here.
