This summer Nottingham welcomes a brand new riverside festival. Set to be the staycation all Nottinghamians have been waiting for, Nonsuch on Trent comes to Victoria Embankment’s bandstand from Thursday 26 August to Sunday 5 September…
Presented by Hockley-based creative venue and theatre Nonsuch Studios, Victoria Embankment’s iconic art deco bandstand is to be transformed into an exciting and vibrant festival village, with some of the best comedy, cabaret, music, theatre and performance along with delicious street food, craft drinks and much, much more.
It might be Nonsuch on Trent’s first year, but they’ve got a lot lined up. Edward Boott, Nonsuch Studios’ Artistic Director & CEO says: “The entire Nonsuch Studios team have been working flat out to make this festival a real treat for the audiences of our city to enjoy this summer, bringing some of the best artists from across the UK to the fine shores of the River Trent.”
Audiences can expect some familiar faces from the Nottingham and Midlands scene. The Gilded Merkin Burlesque & Cabaret set to headline the festival’s opening night - established at Nottingham’s The Glee Club, it’s now one of the UK’s biggest cabaret variety shows.
Hockley gem and neighbour to Nonsuch Studios, Jamcafé, will host a Sunday afternoon music takeover with their drinks menu on offer. Frisky & Mannish, whose musical comedy has been heard internationally, will bring their Pop Lab to the stage on Friday evening and to follow there will be more live music from Hackney Colliery Band; who since performing at London 2012’s closing ceremony have collaborated with artists such as Amy Winehouse and Madness. More acts are set to be announced soon.
There is lots for families too, with Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure For Kids by the world-record breaking beatboxer; Comedy Club 4 Kids, a typical comedy club night, but in the day and without the swears; and Robin Hood by Three Inch Fools, an inventive take on our city’s ubiquitous folktale by the modern-day musical troupe.
After a tough year and a half for festivals of all kinds, with endless postponements and cancellations, this event will hopefully be bringing some much-needed joy and release, with all necessary measures being taken to ensure that the event is COVID-safe. Edward Boott explains “Like most things, this year we can’t do everything we’d like to, but we’ve worked hard to ensure we can put on a great event with amazing artists in the safest way possible and we know that audiences are behind us to experience culture again in a safe and respectful manner.”
There’s room to get involved for local community groups too, as Nonsuch Studios are also offering use of the Victoria Embankment Bandstand space to creative locals to showcase their own work. Anybody interested in using this unique performance space, such as youth and outreach groups wishing to showcase their musical or dramatic talent or run a free workshop, is advised to get in touch with Nonsuch Studios directly.
Nonsuch on Trent is presented with the support of Nottingham City Council. Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture, and Schools said: “I am so pleased we have been able to work with Nonsuch to add some great new, safe summer events to our programme that will appeal to all ages and interests. It is wonderful to see the city’s bandstands being put to use again this summer at both the Embankment and at the Nottingham Arboretum.”
Tickets for Nonsuch on Trent are on sale now. Full event information and further line-up announcements can be found here.
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