The Repton Festival is a not-for-profit company of professional volunteers that provide a festival experience for those interested in the Arts in South Derbyshire and beyond.
Founded in 2017, we’ve come a long way since our first festival, building on our initial success by adding more artists, new events and new venues within our beautiful historic location.
Welcome to the Repton Festival 2023!
We have returned to our traditional October slot and updated our content to provide a
more broadly based festival. Whilst still maintaining our literary and cultural heritage, we
have introduced taken the bold step of introducing Vikings to our offer
in a family friendly manner.
On the evening of Saturday 7th October, we will be screening in the Village Hall, free of
charge, the family film How to Train Your Dragon when we will also launch our “Friends
of the Festival” initiative. The village is at the heart of enabling a festival that showcases
Repton cultural history and regional talent to the widest possible audience. We hugely
support the many volunteers who make the festival possible.
As befits a village whose past is steeped in Anglo Saxon and Viking history our festival
performs to a backdrop of Viking village life depicted by re-enactment society The Vikings
of Middle England over the course of the weekend. On Saturday morning TV personality,
Bio Archaeologist and writer Dr Cat Jarman will give a perspective on the Vikings in her
talk.
FRIDAY
On Friday evening, as a prelude to the Viking arrival, Alexander Binns, The Director of
Music at Derby Cathedral will perform an improvised organ accompaniment to the 1922 German silent horror film Nosferatu in the chapel of Repton school. Do dress up accordingly if you want to!
Following this extraordinary presentation in the neo-Gothic chapel take a short stroll to the 400 Hall theatre (via the festival bar) for your second cinematic treat of the evening. Gala Brass Quintet will perform film theme tunes to a backdrop of classic movie moments introduced by our Festival Film Director – Thomas Craig.
SATURDAY
Two exciting internationally inspired art installations can be viewed at anytime from Saturday morning.
Artist Philip Harris exhibits his unique multimedia art installation Hymn for Ukraine and Professor Huw Davies presents his extraordinary installation of Indian kite flying entitled Utran Conversations.
At midday, raconteur Robert Ross entertains with his illustrated Forgotten Heroes of Comedy.
Saturday afternoon is for lovers of crime fiction and those fascinated by authors willing to share their often-challenging life experiences.
Television presenter and author with approaching one million copies sold, Jackie Kabler, and criminal lawyer turned author Caroline England will come under the forensic questioning of festival favourite Joanna Hands.
Coalville window cleaner’s daughter Tina Baker shares her journey to journalism, broadcaster, and leading British soap opera TV critic.
Author Kate Fernandez explains how she 'found her voice' to overcome a succession of personal challenges and smile again.
Our poets have accepted the Viking challenge of finding a Skald and Edda of Repton through our open to all poetry competition. Saturday evening will see the crowning of these festival champions by waterways poet laureate Jo Bell and the Daily Telegraph's Tristram Fane Saunders who will also perform their own work in the Repton School library.
SUNDAY
The Vikings of Middle England will continue to enjoy their village life and invite you to join in. You can also discover how to identify Viking DNA with retired university lecturer Tony Waldron.
In the afternoon you can meet John Stevenson – Creative Director for Jim Henson's famous Creature Workshop - as he reflects on a career that has taken him from The Muppets to Jurassic Park and many other films.
Experience the Derbyshire Peak being brought to life on screen and in the words of Mark Gwynne Jones.
Celebrity cop, actor Graham Cole (The Bill) meets real cop turned successful author James Ellson in a search for the truth between crime fiction and fact; following which Graham Cole has a confession to make in So you think you know me?.
Sunday finishes with actor, writer, and comedian Owen O’Neill’s hilarious Whole Nine Yarns.
AN AMAZING WEEKEND OF ENTERTAINMENT ON YOUR DOORSTEP – DO NOT MISS THE REPTON FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE – looking forward to seeing you.
John Cavey
Festival Director
Our Values
Community
Providing opportunities for people to come together and to create a sense of belonging and enjoyment.
History
Preserving and promoting the historical significance of Repton and its rich achievements.
Inclusivity
A platform that supports diverse voices to ensure that festival remains an inclusive space for all.
Creativity
Focusing on celebrating creativity where innovative ideas, artistic expression and storytelling is valued.
THE TEAM
Nick Brown
Chair & Founder
John Cavey
Festival Director
Thomas Craig
Assistant Director
Huge thanks
to some of
our past sponsors!
Repton School
The University of Derby
KARDIA
East Midlands Railway
David Brown Commercial
HSKSG
LOTUS Indian Kitchen
Hart of the Home
All Together
OPUS
FRP
Seagrave French
Bluebells
LCS Containers