It is with pleasure that the Festival Chairman, Jenny Vaughan, and the Festival Directors welcome you to the 49th season of Ludlow Festival.

We are pleased to announce that, for the first time in our history, we will be presenting a co-production of Richard III with the Exeter Northcott Theatre Company, directed by their Artistic Director, Ben Crocker. Both Exeter and Ludlow have a history of delighting audiences with their open air theatre productions. The play will be performed in Ludlow Castle for our usual two-week run before transferring to the Rougemont Gardens, Exeter, for a further four weeks. Let us hope that the weather will be kinder to us this year.

We have an exciting line-up of speakers including Dr Phil Stone, Chairman of the Richard III Society, with a talk entitled Richard III – a Bloody Tyrant?. Still on the Shakespeare theme we are pleased to feature Professor Stanley Wells who asks Is It True What They Say About Shakespeare?, and for all Inspector Morse fans we have Colin Dexter. This is just a taster – look further into our programme for other interesting and diverse speakers.

We hope you will enjoy the wide variety of events on offer, including the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and a return visit by the Opera Babes. This year’s festival pop concert will be the biggest Sixties event ever, with Paul Jones returning with the Manfreds for a lively evening with original artists PJ Proby, Vanity Fare, Chris Farlow, Brian Poole and Mike Pender.

We hope that you enjoy the play and the events programme and will continue to support Ludlow Festival. It is our fervent wish that we can take the festival forward to its 50th anniversary in 2009. Exciting plans are already being made for this celebration so watch this space!

 Jenny Vaughan - Chairman



Jenny was elected to the Festival Council in 1987 and served as Chairman of the Festival Events Committee and the Management and Budget Committee from 1994 – 2007. She served on the Publicity Committee from 1998 – 2005 with responsibility for producing the Festival Publications, the Brochure and Souvenir Programme 2005-2007.

Roy Coles - Vice-Chairman.


Having had parents and grandparents who lived and worked in Ludlow, I have known the town all my life. I have been a Festival volunteer since I came to live in Ludlow in 1996 and have served on the Festival Council for the last nine years and as a Director since 2000. I have been involved with many different aspects of the Festival and have acted as Steward and House Manager at many of the venues used for events.

In addition to my duties as a Director and Trustee, I am responsible for organizing the stewarding at all the events, except for the Shakespeare play, and acting as House Manager for most of them.

Bookings can be made Online, by Post by Telephone and via the Box Office

 For details about making bookings click on 'Festival Info.'

Ludlow Festival offers you an experience unique in open-air theatre. Step back in time and experience the world of Shakespeare in the truly glorious setting of Ludlow Castle.

Make a holiday of it and come to Ludlow for the entire festival. The town has a selection of great hotels and restaurants to cater for all pockets. The local area is steeped in history and offers outstanding opportunities for walks and tours.