Game of Thrones star is new festival patron

The patronage of Hollywood and RSC actor Anton Lesser has been described as a ‘major coup’ by the organisers of the festival.

Lesser has played many of the principal Shakespearian roles for the Royal Shakespeare Company, received recent acclaim for his performance in Wolf Hall, and garnered a new and wider audience with his performances in Game of Thrones and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Lesser, who performed at the inaugural Battle Festival in 2014, said: “I am very honoured to have been invited to be a patron of Battle Festival, and wish it every success in aspiring to bring great artistic works and world class practitioners to this lovely part of England.”

Festival chairman David Furness said: “Battle immediately took Anton to their hearts during his outstanding performance in 2014 and this, combined with his talent, experience and enthusiasm, make him an ideal patron for the festival.

“We are delighted to welcome him on board and very much look forward working with him in the future.”

Anton Lesser will again perform at the Battle Festival in October in ‘Shakespeare in Battle, and in Love...’ the significant opening concert this year’s festival, embodying the wit and charm of Shakespeare’s Loves Labours Lost with the vibrant intensity of Henry V.

Sir Andrew Davis, who has served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2000, and Tim Rice-Oxley, the Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter from Keane, are also patrons of the festival.

The 2015 Battle Festival will be a full month-long affair, spanning the whole of October.

A widely varying programme of festival and fringe events are scheduled to take place throughout the town.

Classical and contemporary concerts are scheduled, along with visual arts exhibitions and a Masterclass series of talks, workshops and classes.

Meanwhile food lovers can enjoy the culinary showcase of Sussex’s finest artisan producers.

Plus there will be film screenings, poetry, choral, comedy and more to entertain audience’s of all ages.

Full listings and tickets for the performances are available now on www.BattleFestival.co.uk.

For more information about the festival, please email info@Battle Festival.co.uk

Alternatively, you can keep up-to-date with the latest happenings via social media - facebook.com/BattleFestival twitter.com/BattleFestival

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