Leicestershire festival expanded to include world-renowned comedians, athletes and authors

Comedians, cricket legends and world-renowned authors will be among those to appear at an inaugural arts festival held in a 13th-century Leicestershire estate. Nevill Holt, near Market Harborough, has expanded its annual opera festival to host ‘fascinating’ music, theatre, art, comedy and talks from Saturday 1 June to Wednesday 26 June as part of the first Nevill Holt Festival.

You’ll be able to see comedians Jason Byrne, Seann Walsh, Mark Watson and improv group Austentatious throughout the three-week festival. Cricket legends Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell will also share ‘thrilling and gripping stories’ in ‘An Audience with Aggers and Tuffers’ on Friday 14 June.

While Michael Morpurgo will read passages from his novel War Horse to music from the National Theatre’s production, visitors will have the chance to explore “remarkable” pieces of modern British sculpture appearing in the gardens – including works by Anthony Caro and Antony Gormley.

Leicestershire’s Martine Croxall makes BBC return after year off show amid controversy

The festival will also include appearances by Alice Roberts, Emma Dabiri, Jenny Kleeman, Anthony Quinn, Mary Wellesley, Amy Trew, Audrey Osler, Love Ssega and Kassia St. Clair. Organizers said the event will offer a wide range of food and drink, from fine dining to barbecue.

Current property owner David Ross said: “After 20 years of our hugely popular summer opera festival, we wanted to create a more accessible model to build on and expand on our past success. I’ve always wanted the work we do here to invite a really wide range of audiences, and by expanding the program we aim to create a festival that has something for almost everyone.”

To find out more about who will be appearing at the three-week event and to buy tickets, visit the Nevill Holt Festival website.

Now we bring you the latest updates on WhatsApp first