Vanessa Redgrave to Serve as Guest Director for 2012 Brighton Festival

The Brighton Festival has just announced that the guest director for 2012 is the legendary stage, screen and television actress and doyenne of the performing arts, Vanessa Redgrave who brings with her a new and exciting direction to next year's festival, presenting local and International Artists in a powerful and wide-ranging programme.

Most recently the Oscar-winning actor's 50-year career was hailed by her colleagues in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as she was awarded with the Academy's first ever European tribute to an actor. Sir David Hare, who hosted the event at the Curzon Soho, said: 'Wherever you go in the world, people know and admire Vanessa Redgrave. There are not many consistently brilliant 50-year careers in the history of cinema, but hers is one of them.'

Sally Abbott, Regional Director, Arts Council England, commented, 'This is great news for Brighton Festival and great news for Brighton. Once again the Festival team have chosen a unique, intelligent and interesting guest director. I look forward to attending the events that will be programmed next year, which will reflect the range and breadth of Vanessa Redgrave's cultural interests and artistic experience.'

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said 'When you think of the past guest directions I think she fits the bill rather well. The precise details of the programme have yet to be unveiled. But just as last year's guest director influenced the events put on throughout the festival, I expect she will do the same. She obviously has a political position on issues but also has great pulling power. I expect to see some really glittering names in the festival.'

The Festival's previous Guest Directors, British sculptor Anish Kapoor in 2009, the Godfather of modern music Brian Eno in 2010 and Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2011 have all reflected on the purpose of art and the cumulative effect a Festival can create.

For additional information, visit: http://www.brightonfestival.org/guestdirector.aspx

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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