It all began with a letter to the local newspaper, calling for more arts and music in Epsom. The frustrated tone of the author struck a chord with the borough’s creative community, who offered agreement in droves.
A week later, rallied by local artist Sarah Dewing and Paul Taylor, MD of What’s On In My Town, a committee had formed. And one year on, the grassroots group is poised to launch the first ever arts festival in the borough: a three-day extravaganza on a scale that has left all expectations behind.
Oliver Tompsett - The West End star presents a rare hometown show
MGSO4: Epsom & Ewell Arts Festival takes its name from the chemical formula for Epsom Salt (magnesium sulphate), the compound that first brought fame to the area during the 17th Century.
“It is fantastic,” enthuses Sarah, now Festival Director and chair of the committee. “Since the idea of a festival was first discussed, so many incredible artists, performers, creative professionals and volunteers have come forward to make it happen. It has been a real team effort. Most of us had never met before, but we have all worked together to build something very special; something unique to the borough. It is a showcase of the talent all around us.”
As a brand new charity, committed to promoting the arts in Epsom and Ewell, MGSO4 includes music, visual arts, theatre, literature and dance. A host of high-profile names who live locally, or who have a strong connection to the area, have now come on board, adding star quality to a diverse programme of events centred on the theme of ‘Our Town.’
Nicholas McCarthy - Epsom’s celebrated left-handed pianist
Pianist Nicholas McCarthy is one such figure, set to grace the festival with a special performance at the end of his UK tour. Born in Epsom, without his right hand, Nicholas discovered a love for the piano at the age of 14. Having been told that he would never succeed as a pianist, he went on to study at the Royal College of Music, becoming the first left-hand-only piano graduate in the institution’s 130-year history. Now aged 27, he fills concert halls around the world and has just released his debut album, Solo. For MGSO4, with its multi-arts approach offering opportunities to experience something new, he has only praise.
“It’s an absolute joy to be part of this new and exciting festival in my own home town,” he says. “It is only with bold initiatives like MGSO4 that we will finally break down false perceptions of classical music and encourage a new generation of audiences.”
Michael Frayn, the prolific award-winning author and playwright – best known for the farce Noises Off and novels such as Headlong and Spies – is another stellar figure whom the borough can claim as its own. His memoir, My Father’s Fortune (2010), is a moving portrait of a childhood spent in Ewell. For the festival, which he hopes will bring a new lease of local life to the arts, he returns for An Audience with Michael Frayn, a unique live discussion with his nephew, Sky TV presenter and Epsom resident Julian Waters.
Melanie Moss Photography
Michael Frayn and Julian Waters
“A lot has happened in Epsom and Ewell since I grew up there, back in the mid-20th Century,” he reflects. “But one of the best things of all must surely be the new festival. I’m honoured to be taking part, together with my nephew, in episode one.”
The ‘Our Town’ theme runs right through a programme of events that has engaged with the whole community, from care homes to schools. Projects include the creation of a 3m jigsaw in the shape of the borough – for which each primary school has designed and decorated an individual piece – to go on permanent display in the town centre library.
Some groups have developed their own response to the festival. Members of The Sunnybank Trust community for people with learning disabilities, for example, are working on a multi-sensory drama production of The Wizard of Oz. Sunnybank Chief Executive, Dorothy Watson, hopes that MGSO4 can help to open people’s eyes.
“In our community many people are on the edge and isolated, simply for not managing to fit in or fully understand our society. Through the arts we can challenge that and stand up for them.”
Ben Tompsett debuts the festival’s official song ‘Built to Last’ with Beth Keen
At the dawn of the 18th Century, Epsom was a prominent spa town, patronised by royalty and celebrities from across Europe. Visitors stayed for the whole summer season to drink and bathe in the famous mineral water and meet at England’s first spa assembly rooms. A vibrant, creative community sprang up to entertain tourists and the streets were nightly filled with music and dancing.
MGSO4 is set to revive that spirit, with activities in shops, cafés, restaurants and council venues, as well as on street corners. The large first floor space in The Ashley Centre will be turned into a pop-up gallery for more than 20 artists – professional and semi-professional alike – who can often exhibit only in London.
In a festival of firsts, another highlight is to be the world premiere dramatic adaptation of the book Bare Reality: 100 Women, Their Breasts, Their Stories.
“It won’t be a straightforward reading of stories, but we don’t want to give too much away in advance,” says Laura Dodsworth, author of the book and co-writer of the play. “Even if people have never read the book it’s going to make perfect sense. The script is funny and poignant at the same time. We hope it will make people laugh and think.”
Laura Dodsworth
In Derby Square, at the heart of town, a range of gifted young musicians and seasoned artists will perform on a live stage. And the debut performance of Built to Last, a new song written for MGSO4 by local songwriter and musician Ben Tompsett – whose brother Oliver, West End star of Guys & Dolls, We Will Rock You and more, is to grace the festival with a rare hometown show – will see a variety of surprise participants take to the streets.
As Daniel Defoe, whose Robinson Crusoe is frequently claimed as the first English novel, wrote in 1725: ‘Folks don’t come to Epsom to stay within doors.’
MGSO4: June 24-26. For more details and to book tickets visit their website.
To find out more news on local entertainment go here where you can also find out more about the performers in the festival like Laura Dodsworth.
Stay up to date with all the latest news by following us on Facebook or Twitter.
