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Cornwall Council is pleased to continue the support and promotion of the Festival - an event that is recognised as one of the best Festivals of Art & Literature in the country.

Sheila Vanloo has attended many years of Du Maurier Festival's reviewing numerous events and performances over that time.  Here she gives her thoughts as a Preview of the 2010 Festival :

The tickets have been on sale for a week and already it’s looking like a bumper year for the Festival and Cornwall itself; I can’t think of another annual event that inspires so many people to visit our glorious County.

Growing up on the edge of the Menabilly estate it seemed perfectly natural to be sitting opposite Daphne DuMaurier as we rode on the bus to Fowey, or queueing alongside her as Mum bought the weekly shop in Varcoe’s. From an early age my sister and I devoured books, especially DuMaurier and Agatha Christie, and I remember the thrill of recognising the places Daphne described so vividly.

Aged 12, my family moved into the brand new Windmill estate in Fowey, behind which the Festival Village sits every May. I haven’t lived in Fowey for many years, but I’m still a Fowey girl and take great delight in popping down during the Festival setting up period, feeling the excitement build as the Village takes shape, it just feels right - as if I’m coming home. There is something magical about Fowey, Daphne recognised its beauty and its spirit drawing inspiration from every nook and cranny of our historic town.

Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to review the Festival for the local papers and Radio St. Austell Bay and I was thrilled to be invited to preview this year’s amazing line-up and highlight my personal choices.

The music line-up is both diverse and exciting; The Stranglers have been in my heart for more years than I care to remember, the Men in Black still manage to sell out every gig they play and the du Maurier Festival will be no exception. Supporting the old punks are local funksters Grooveyard who have individually worked with some of the greats in the music biz including The Who and Geno Washington.

Another, fairly local musician is award winning Seth Lakeman and his band, they will have everyone out of their seats and dancing the night away. The Zombies need no introduction, with a strong fan base these talented guys have worked solidly since they first formed in the 60’s. The Mediaeval Baebes are a feast for the eyes, ears and soul – delightfully sexy and multi-talented, not to be missed.

Julian Lloyd-Webber brings his wealth of talent along with his Stradivarius cello to delight fans of the classics. Courtney Pine and his jazz/soul train arrive in Fowey and about time too! Fun, madness and mayhem and goodness knows what else from Three Bonzos and a Piano, expect the unexpected!

Locals will know there is a wealth of acting talent in Kernow and the local theatre groups are a popular addition to the annual programme. This year we are, once again, spoilt for choice with productions from St. Austell Players, Troy Players, Polruan Theatre Club and Tywardreath Players. If you can’t decide between them, you can fit them all in – it can be done!

An innovative addition to Fest 2010 is a site specific performance from the Varadi Foundation, University of Exeter, which explores the relationship between Daphne, her father Gerald and his role as Captain Hook. A personal delight is the arrival of Bec Applebee in her one woman play ‘Oh Mary’, the story of Fowey’s infamous highwaywoman, Mary Bryant.

Reading is one of the greatest, yet simplest, pleasures in life and the list of authors visiting the festival is a superb mix of writing styles, from ChickLit to History, from Science to Thrillers, no subject is left uncovered. Listening to your favourite authors discussing their books and often taking questions from the audience is a fabulous way to pass away a couple of hours on a May afternoon.

If your reading taste is sharp and witty, Kathy Lette will make you laugh out loud, Sam North returns to discuss the relationship between Daphne Du Maurier and Alfred Hitchcock, Helen Doe explodes the romantic myths that surround piracy, smuggling and wrecking.

The University of Exeter once again plays a large part in the Festival, with topics ranging from The Housewife Poet to Tolkein In Cornwall, Cornish Writers and the Sea to Virginia Woolf.    For 2010, the University lectures are spread across different venues including Tremough Campus, Penryn where, amongst many other exciting projects, you can hear Louis de Bernieres present an evening of poetry and music or join Orange prize winning author Sarah Dunant as she discuss her work with Professor Helen Taylor.

The intimacy of the DuMaurier Fest regularly draws much loved household names who are willing to sit and while away a couple of hours sharing their life stories with us. Top of my list for 2010 is June Whitfield, hard to believe this national treasure is now in her 80s and still delighting us with her gentle charm. Close on her heels is the delightful Pam Ayres, a Festival favourite, sharing stories and ‘some more of me poetry’. Jonathan Miller has led a varied life, and I’m keen to discover how a qualified Doctor ended up working with comedy genii Pete ‘n ‘Dud.

Laughter is high on the agenda this year, with writer and comedian Richard Herring being on my ‘don’t miss’ list. Jeremy Hardy will make us laugh out loud with his sharp stand-up routine. Marcus Brigstocke and Andre Vincent return to poke fun at the news of the day with The Early Edition, while Simon Hoggart takes a wry look at all things British. Local boy done good,Rory McGrath returns to divulge the secrets of his Catholic childhood with Tim Hubbard. Television Producer Paul Jackson will share clips and stories from his many years of being at the cutting edge of television comedy.

Talking of television, the du Maurier Festival continues to bring us fascinating folk from the small screen; with talks from gorgeous Celt, Neil Oliver who has somehow turned archaeology into a sexy subject!  Jonathan and Angela Scott bring us tales of The Big Cat Diary and George Alagiah discusses the global food chain. The cutting and very funny Dr. Phil Hammond will once again have ‘em rolling in the aisles, while pondering the risks of putting “our lives in their hands”.

But the Festival is not all about top telly and famous people and Fowey girl, Lynn Goold will take us on an armchair tour of the places that du Maurier loved and included in her books. Cornish Lads will again have people banging on the theatre door long after the last ticket has been sold; this fabulous production by Cornish storytellers and musicians is a must. A special showing of the BBC’s 1991 film The Last Romantics will delight the Quiller-Couch fans amongst us. And there will be an enjoyable afternoon spent in the company of Bagas Degol and Annamaria Murphy with their Red Letter Days.

More Cornishness than you can shake a stick at comes in the shape of Bert Biscoe and Pol Hodge, with their poems, songs and local gossip they remind us ‘ow things used ta be in Kernow and wonder what happened to ‘er? Highly talented local musicians, Michael Teague and Claire Deniz present an evening of well known classical pieces in St. Fimbarus church. Exciting news has just reached me that there are some late additions to the programme – the Varadi Foundation will perform a play based on Daphne, Gerald du Maurier and Captain Hook while Scary Little Girls bring us stories from Daphne’s writing.

As always there is a wonderful array of organised walks, boat trips and cream teas around and about, while beautiful local gardens open their gates to proudly show off the results of their backbreaking labours of love. Antique fairs, book sales, maypole dancing, guides to the history of local buildings, painting, sculpture, food and photography are just a few of the delights on offer on the Festival fringe. Polperro Fishermen’s Choir, Truro Operatic Society and the Gumbo Flyers add to the eclectic mix of musical entertainment.

The ancient Stannary town of Lostwithiel has long been a strong supporter of theFestival and this year has surpassed itself with LostFest. A full day of events begin early in the morning and include the Cornish Samba Collective, Arts and Crafts, Clog Dancers, Ukelele Orchestra, Japanese drumming, Barber Shop and a 30 strong ladies choir. They have also lined up a mouth watering list of top local bands, including the soon to be famous Underbelly, Backbeat Sound System,Freshly Squeezed and Josie and the Lovecats – and all for free!

Over the years the du Maurier Festival has evolved and spread its tentacles to a wide area from Polruan to St. Austell, St. Winnow to Par and this year has moved even further with events as far away as Falmouth and Penryn. No longer just a Fest for Fowey, this jewel in our crown is something we can all be proud to be part of, whether we buy tickets for the famous names or enjoy the vast range of free events. The du Maurier Fesrtival 2010 has the makings of being remembered as the best Fest ever, we have the line-up, the village and the people to make it great, now all we need is the weather!

Sheila Vanloo
22nd March & 6th April  2010

Listen live to Radio St Austell Bay-  105.6FM  or on the Internet :  www.rsab.org

Sheila Vanloo writes for local Cornish arts publications and is Station Manager at Radio St Austell Bay - our local, Local Radio station

The Festival is grateful to all of the sponsors of the Festival, especially the management and staff of the Fowey Hall Hotel, whose support is very much appreciated.