Cartoon Festival attracts celebrity support

The full programme for this month’s Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival is now available both online and in a brochure – and two new celebrity patrons have given their support to what is the UK’s only cartoon festival.

The Festival, which takes place from 22 to 25 April, is now in its seventh year. It is organised by Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Civic Society, The Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation, Cath Tate Cards and Agate Design, with support from the Arts Council and many volunteers and private sector sponsors.

Ahead of this year’s event, comedian Phill Jupitus and BBC Radio 2 presenter Alex Lester have joined broadcasters Libby Purves and Andrew Marr, and Professor Colin Pillinger, as patrons of the event.

Phill may not make it to the 2010 Festival due to other commitments, but he has expressed his support and enthusiasm. And Alex Lester does plan to join fellow patron Libby Purves at this year’s event.

Highlights of this year’s festival include an illustrated talk by one of Britain’s finest political cartoonists, Martin Rowson, whose work appears regularly in The Guardian and The Independent. ‘Giving Offence – the Greatest Gift’ is at the Old Market Hall (OMH), 12.30pm on Saturday 24 April. Tickets are £5 from the OMH Box Office, on 01743 281281.

And on Thursday 22 April festival patron Libby Purves presents an evening of conversation and cartoons with cartoonist Bill Stott at The Lion hotel, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 from Bear Steps Gallery, on 01743 356511

There are also plenty of free events and activities throughout the festival including a range of workshops for all who fancy trying cartoon and comic drawing for themselves.

The fun starts with a drop-in afterschool/work session on 22 April for all ages at Bear Steps Gallery from 4.30pm. In keeping with the Festival’s overall theme of Magic, Myth and Mystery the workshop, led by Steve Bright, looks at creating superhuman comic characters.

Alison Patrick, tourism officer with Shropshire Council, said: “This year’s festival promises be a fantastic few days, and offers something for people of all ages. I hope it will encourage people from across Shropshire and further afield to visit Shrewsbury to support the events, and local businesses.”

Full details of other workshops, talks and cartooning activities are in the brochure available from the Visitor Information Centre, Barker Street, Shrewsbury 01743 281200 and from Bear Steps Gallery, St. Alkmund’s Place, Shrewsbury or on the website at www.shrewsburycartoonfestival.com.

8 April 2010

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