Music, comedy, theatre and food to take centre stage at inaugural Marlborough Festival

After three years of planning, an idea hatched in lockdown is about to come to fruition, as Marlborough gets ready to stage its first annual music, comedy, food and theatre festival.

With the aim of bringing together talents from across the Southwest, the festival – which runs from 12th to 14th July – is being supported by businesses and organisations across the town and beyond.

And, unlike out-of-town green field festivals, the event will be staged at local venues, to give businesses a boost with an influx of visitors.

Marlborough Festival is the brainchild of Luke Jackson and Sandra Bhatia, who live in the town.

Having known each other several years earlier, they were surprised to discover they had both moved back to the Marlborough area, bumping into each other on a walk during lockdown.

Luke has a background in TV, including documentary filmmaking. Sandra’s background is in music events, in the past working with Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and Manchester’s famous Hacienda nightclub. 

“One day my dad and his friends were lamenting the demise of the former Jazz Festival in 2015, which had run for many years and was very popular,” said Luke. “So, when we got together, Sandra and I hatched this plan to bring the music back to Marlborough.”

The model for Marlborough Festival, which has been three years in the planning, taps into the existing businesses and infrastructure. This keeps the carbon footprint and costs down, as well as bringing festival-goers right into the heart of the town.

Sandra said: “It’s a post-pandemic model, which makes the most of what we have on our doorstep. Rather than pulling people out of towns, we cater for the local community and attract visitors in.”

Luke added that support from local businesses and organisations was very positive.

“When we first asked businesses about this, most were keen to get involved, as our aim was bring a boost to the high street. We ran a fundraiser and a launch, and that gave us the platform to develop the project.”

If this year’s festival is a success, Luke and Sandra plan to make it an annual event. Sandra said: “We want to make sure this works, that it’s popular and that the community have embraced it. If all goes well, we will then build on this for an even bigger event next year.”

Similar to city and urban festivals in format, Marlborough Festival will comprise a range of events organised by Sandra and Luke, with businesses running their own parallel activities, at other venues in the town.

Headlining the festival will be Huey Morgan (of The Fun Lovin’ Criminals) performing at the Memorial Hall. The Castle & Ball will host the New Music Stage, with bands from BBC Introducing in the South West. Theatre will include puppet shows and a performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Masterchef finalist Thomas Frake (now landlord of The Silks on the Downs pub in Ogbourne St George) will cook a special lunch at La Bobina, in Marlborough High Street, featuring produce from Avebury’s Gourmet Goat Farmer, and sparkling wine from Southcott Vineyard.

“During lockdown on long walks, we met a lot of farmers wondering if they’d still be around in a year’s time”, says Luke. “We want to talk up the incredible food on our doorstep and bring some urgent rural issues to light. So, the plan is to make this a series – pair a top chef with a top producer, and create a bit of tasty, local magic. Everyone wins.”

Many events are free, and there is a £7 ‘support’ ticket, which gives access to performances at most of the hotels and bars, including digital workshops from festival sponsor Intel. 

There is a £70 premium weekend pass to cover all live music, theatre and comedy events. There is an ‘SN8 Discount’ for tickets bought from local box offices at Castle & Ball Hotel, Sound Knowledge and Elaine’s Travel.

Separate tickets are also available for Shakespeare in the Park, and the set menu at La Bobina. For more information, visit https://www.marlboroughfestival.com/.