Festivals

There is a clear theme running through the festivals which Nick has directed: bringing out the very best in local performers, by combining them with outstanding professionals from around the world and creating situations where local groups can collaborate in new ways.

His first major festival, in 2005, was in his home town of Bollington. Held every four years or so, the Festival had grown little by little. Now it took off with over eighty events, and won the national Arts and Business award for the best collaboration between business and the community. Compared with the previous Festival sponsorship was up by over 400% and ticket sales trebled. Above all, it was hugely enjoyed by the 20,000 people who attended, and the performers who took part. A reasonable first effort.

In 2006 Nick directed a new festival: a celebration of the 250^th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, in Columbia, South Carolina. Several dozen concerts, exhibitions, dance and theatre performances brought together groups within the city who had never, or rarely, worked together before.

In 2009 Nick directed his second Bollington Festival with even more success. Sponsorship was held at the same level despite a very difficult economic climate, ticket sales were up by a further 25%, and the number of events rose to 94.

Hardly surprisingly, there are several more festivals in the planning stages.