PAUL DONOVAN is chilled by the contemporary resonance of Harper Lee’s coming of age tale amidst racism and white supremacy in this excellent production
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Barminess and brain food at Shambalic ‘hippy Butlins’
George Fogarty has fun at Shambala Festival, Northamptonshire
GEOFF BOTTOMS recommends the unashamedly light-hearted escapism on offer in this stage version of the 1963 film
Full of mysterious religious references and radical sound design, the Scottish duo’s new offering is candidate for album of the year, suggests SIMON DUFF
MARY CONWAY revels in a powerful reminder that human lives are not defined by physical perfection
PAUL DONOVAN recommends the fine performances in this account of the pre-war meeting between the US president and the British king
TECLYN AROD relishes an intimate celebration of jazz improvisation that mixes local and national musicians
SHAMABALA has a well-earned reputation for being thoroughly enjoyable. It’s small enough to be fully relaxing, without the freneticism of its mega-fest cousins such as Boom Town and Glastonbury but with enough going on to keep you permanently stumbling upon wondrous new little nooks and crannies.
To call it a hippy Butlins doesn’t quite do it justice but is not far off the mark. There is even a “social club” marquee with stand-up, cabaret, tribute acts and karaoke in which a few redcoats would certainly not be out of place.
There’s a giant kids’ field too, along with workshops aplenty featuring everything from vocal training to interactive games illustrating the nature of fiat money and the power of private banking.
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WILL STONE is frustrated by a performance that chooses to garble the lyrics and drown the songs in reverb
STEVE JOHNSON relishes a celebration of the commonality of folk music and its links with the struggles of working people the world over