Isle of Ely Festival : What’s On this week

The Festival enters its second week with some great theatre, visual arts and music. You can catch performances of Behind the Scenes, the story of a small Fen village theatre group putting on a pantomime. Drawing on the author’s experience in amateur dramatics, and her familiarity with pantomime, the result is a touching comedy that makes audiences both laugh and cry. Despite all the dramas and crises, the show must go on! Shows are at Isleham (Friday 16), Wicken (Saturday 17), Little Downham (Friday 23 June), Witcham (Saturday 24 June). All shows start at 7.30pm, tickets £5. Tickets from the Festival box office Tel: 01353 616991.
There’s outdoor theatre in the Sculpture Garden at Haddenham Galleries (Saturday 17 June 3pm) as Snail Tales perform ‘The First King of England…in a dress!’ This weekend is also your last chance to catchPrincess Ida at Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre and Viva Theatre inDad’s Army at the Brook in Soham.  The Cathedral’s Science Festival also draws to a close on Sunday.

Enjoy work from over 20 local artisans in a ‘pop up’ gallery at Wicken Fen (Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 June 10am – 5pm). Get a taste of bygone fen crafts at Haddenham Gallery in ‘The Fen Experience’ (Sunday 18 June 12 – 5pm). Ely and Littleport Riot will also be on hand to entertain, it’s a great family day out…and it’s free! Ted Coney’s Family Portraits is open on Sunday’s throughout the festival month with tours at 2pm & 3pm, booking is essential www.tedconeysfamilyportraits.co.uk

The David Hockney Selling Exhibition launches at the Babylon Gallery on Ely’s Waterside on Thursday 22 June 6-8pm and continues until Sunday 23 July, entry is free. The Gallery & Gift shop are open Tuesday – Sunday 12 – 4pm.
Also on Thursday 22 June ensemble Eboracum Baroque will performHandel’s Water Music and The Spirit of the Fens at St Mary’s Church in Ely.
There’s still time to enter your photographs in the2018 Calendar Competition, you can find full details and submit your online entrywww.haddenhamgallery.co.uk.
For full festival listings and tickets visit www.isleofelyartsfestival.org.uk orwww.babylonarts.org.uk  or call the festival box office on 01353 616991.
You can still pick up a brochure locally or download one online from the festival website.