London SE1 > News & Features > October 2000

Southwark's double festival month

"Small is beautiful" is the theme for the Southwark Festival starting this month.

"In this year of dramatic impression with the Dome, mammoth fireworks displays and large and impersonal events we thought that we would be noticeably different" says Festival Director Michèle McLusky. "This year you will find small and intimate occasions, rarely heard works, many small exhibitions, extra events for children and our traditional favourites." Festival Evensong at Southwark Cathedral launches the Festival at 3pm on Sunday 15 October. Following the service a Festival preview will give a taster of what is on offer this year.

The Cathedral is also the venue for many musical events including the world premières of Gospel Train Boogie and Spinning Wheels. Lunchtime recitals are being held at the Cathedral, Guy's Hospital Chapel and St George's. From Monday 16 October it will be possible to discover 30 hidden artistic treasures in unusual places from HSBC to Neal's Yard Dairy. Meanwhile No 1 London Bridge will have a new exhibition of work by Gerald Scarfe intended to amuse and amaze.

An important day is Thursday 26 October when the 600th anniversary of Geoffrey Chaucer's death will be marked in the
Cathedral with a talk and a major musical event featuring George Dyson's Canterbury Pilgrims.

Chaucer Day will also be the start of the week long Southwark Literature Festival with events in both Southwark and St George's Cathedrals, on board HMS Belfast and the Golden Hinde and at Southwark Playhouse. Guests include Christopher Lee, Chapman Pincher, William Boyd and Dr David Starkey.

www.southwarkfestival.org.uk