Returning for its fourth year, details of the 2018 River Stage Festival have been announced ahead of it opening on the 13th July.
This free outdoor festival organised by the National Theatre returns to the London South Bank from July, filled with five weekends of of live music, DJ’s, family workshops, club nights and theatre from the National Theatre and others.
Opening on the 13th July, the festival will begin with London’s leading queer performance venue and popular night spot The Glory. A dazzling army of drag queens, underground stars, club kids and cult comedians will create another totally unique family-friendly showcase. Highlights include a re-working of Liza With A Z, a Madonna-themed cabaret special and Jonny Woo’s new show with Double Olivier award winner Le Gateau Chocolat.
This year’s festival will also see the return HOME Manchester from Friday 20th July, following last year’s spectacular debut, bringing a diverse line-up of northern performers and musicians to the capital, showing London the best of what Manchester has to offer.
River Stage will also see Sadler’s Wells debut at the festival who will present a range of dance styles from 27th July, with hip hop, ballroom, traditional Indian kathak dance, contemporary and flamenco. Alongside performances, there are participatory workshops to get visitors moving including yoga, a family friendly workshop and a ceilidh.
The festival will also see nonclassical, who take to the stage from Friday 3rd August bringing together the best in new classical, electronic and experimental music, making its first appearance at River Stage.
For its final weekend, River Stage will see the National Theatre programming the final festival weekend from Friday 10th August with a mix of family focused workshops, sing along bands, a groundbreaking new circus show, a tea dance and live music and DJ’s. This weekend will conclude with a screening of the National Theatre Live recording of the NT’s recent production of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical Follies, winner of Best Musical Revival at this year’s Olivier awards starring Olivier award winning actress Imelda Staunton.
Talking about this year’s festival, Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre said:”I am delighted that Riverstage is back for the 4th year running – it’s been such a resounding success for the past 3 years, and has become a vital part of our summer programming. This year’s festival is set to be as thrilling as ever and I am really pleased that we are partnering, once again, with a wide range of organisations from around the UK. The eclectic mix of artists – some familiar faces from previous years and some brand new – will be bringing their music, dance, theatre and more so there will be something for everyone. And the key thrill for me is seeing the crowds of new faces that River Stage brings to the South Bank. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone in July.”
River Stage will take place from the 13th July until the 12th August. For more information visit: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/river-stage-2018.