Anwen, Lady Hurt Named As New Holt Festival Artistic Director

North Norfolk's award-winning Holt Festival has announced that Anwen, Lady Hurt is to be their new permanent Artistic Director from 2019 onwards.

Anwen has been involved in the Holt Festival, in various guises, since it was founded in 2009 under the chairmanship of Rhu Bruce Lockhart. She will take the reigns for the 2019 festival and beyond, following in the footsteps of Stash Kirkbride who took the helm as guest Artistic Director for the current 10th anniversary year and previous directors, Charles Pugh, Delaval Astley and Tony Britten.

'I am delighted to be appointed Artistic Director of the Holt Festival.' Anwen commented 'I have been involved with the Holt Festival in different guises since its inception and have watched it grow over the last ten years under the guidance of Rhu and Tony, Delaval, Charles and Stash. Big shoes to fill! I look forward to continuing their work and helping the festival to expand and develop.'

Adney Payne, Chair of the Festival Board said 'Everyone at Holt Festival is delighted that Anwen Hurt has agreed to be our Artistic Director from 2019. She has been involved in the Festival for many years and we are very lucky that someone of her calibre will be programming the Festival. '

Anwen was married to the actor Sir John Hurt until his death in 2017 and has lived in Norfolk for the past ten years.

She studied music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and went on to work in both musical and straight theatre. Enjoying as much success behind the scenes as on stage, Anwen moved into film production and as Head of Production at Mad Cow Films produced commercials for TV and cinema and music videos for over 15 years. She has produced and cast several feature films and documentaries while resident in Norfolk, most notably In Love with Alma Cogan (featuring Roger Lloyd Pack and Niamh Cusack), Benjamin Britten - Peace and Conflict (starring Alex Lather as the young Benjamin Britten and narrated by John Hurt) and ChickLit (with Christian McKay, Dakota Blue Richards, Miles Jupp and Cathy Tyson).

Anwen is Pro-Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts and Patron of their Munnings Restoration Project, a Director of the Board of Cinema City Limited, a Trustee of Sheringham Little Theatre and a Patron of the Holt Youth Project. She is also Patron of Project Harar, a UK registered charity to help people affected by facial disfigurement in Ethiopia, and along with actor David Morrissey is joint Patron of the Derby Film Festival.

The award-winning Holt Festival has become established as one of the East of England's most anticipated annual events. During festival week the charming North Norfolk Georgian country town becomes a magnet for tourists, arts lovers and international performers.

For its 2018 10th anniversary year guest Artistic Director Stash Kirkbride has curated a programme that encompasses big names like Jasper Carrott and Leo Sayer; local legends The Nimmo Twins with a special Norfolk Day event, and political and journalistic heavyweights Lord Ashdown, Ann Widdecombe and John Simpson. The music programme ranges from Italian classical pianist Gloria Campagner to the Zimbabwean sounds of Anna Mudeka, as well as rock and jazz. The Festival, which runs from 21-29 July also boasts world exclusive exhibitions, children's events, drama, film, comedy and more. For full details and tickets visit www.holtfestival.org

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