Tuesday
19th August 2003
Good
weather draws the crowds to Ross |
|
|
 |
| Festival
logo |
|
Ìý |
An
estimated 30,000 people came to the Ross International Festival |
|
|
|
|
During the hottest recorded temperatures of this year, Ross-on-Wye
International Festival has proved that once again it could bring the
crowds streaming down to the Waterside site and into Ross town to
enjoy the entertainment on offer.
Organisers estimate that more than 30,000 individuals visited the
site over the eleven days of the Festival.
The Festival finished on a high note on Sunday evening with a rousing
performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with violinist Clio
Gould.
More than 4000 people gathered on the site over the course of the
evening to enjoy the beef and beer barbeque, followed by a display
of fireworks and the burning of two of the Festival sculptures that
had been created by sculptor Dominic Clare.
David Bilton, Executive Director, said:
"We are delighted with the numbers who have not only bought tickets
for the performances, but have visited the Festival site and enjoyed
the free entertainment on offer.
"The combination of top acts plus the good weather seems to have
brought everybody out.
"Every evening has seen record numbers of people gathering down
by the river, not only to attend performances but to enjoy a cold
drink with their friends and to soak up what has been an electric
atmosphere."
Beth's broken guitar
During the course of the week Beth Orton, The Waterboys, The Syd Lawrence
Orchestra with Tina May and Opera Box with Carmen all played to packed
houses, despite the heat.
Beth Orton gave a spine-tingling performance, with her very natural
voice, to an ecstatic audience.
The fact that Beth’s guitar was damaged en route for the Festival
by British Airways, and a replacement had to be rushed in from Cheltenham,
did not appear to dampen her unique style.
The Waterboys played an extended session to a sell-out house, including
many of their classic hits from a range of albums.
The irrepressible Irish rhythms provided by Mike Scott and his crew
had most of the audience out of their seats by the final encore of
The Whole of the Moon.
The eclectic programme also embraced Steven Berkoff, with his chilling
one-man rendition of Poe’s Tell Tale Heart, followed by the hilarious
‘Dog’ in which he played an obnoxious but loveable football hooligan
and his long-suffering dog.
A lavish, full-costumed Carmen was provided by mid-Wales based company
Opera Box to a very enthusiastic audience of opera buffs.
The Syd Lawrence Orchestra fronted by the charismatic Chris Dean,
complemented by the distinctive, husky tones of guest singer Tina
May, also received rave reviews from the audience, with their programme
of big jazz numbers.
A dynamic Tony Hadley kept his female-dominated audience happy with
renditions of many of his old Spandau hits such as Gold and True mixed
with a variety of ballads.
Other wonderful performances included The Swingle Singers with their
unique acapella sound and Leandre and Claire, the brilliant comedy
mime duo from Barcelona.
|
|
|
|
|
|
