‘And we’re offering Preston’s best talent’

Created to offer Preston’s arts community a space to meet, discuss and engage with the community, the event will showcase how the venue has developed over a busy first year.

The weekend starts on the Friday evening, with every nook and cranny of the venue filled with a variety of different arts.

On the Saturday (May 24) one of the best North West sketch groups, Geins Family Gift Shop, will head-up a night of laughter, music and verse.

They will be joined onstage by Preston-based poets Nick Duffy and Nick Williams, as well as female music duo Country Folk and Seamus McLaughlin.

The following night, Korova’s Big Birthday BashKlectic puts Preston-based comic Phil Ellis centre stage.

Ellis, above, whose Edinburgh Fringe show Phil Ellis: Unplanned Orphan, earned four and five-star reviews, heads a bill which will include Israeli born singer songer-writer Avital Raz, supported by Katie Ryan and Alex O’Hara of Mobius Loop. The night will also consist of poetry from Preston-based Alice Monk.

Korova’s owner and artistic director Sam Buist said: “We’re delighted we’ve got a selection of top talent and that they’re from Preston.

“Too often I hear people say there’s no talent in Preston. Quite frankly, they’re wrong.

“Phil Ellis is from Preston and is one of the best comedians in the North West.

“Avital Raz works and lives in Preston and, again, she is one of the best musicians in the region. The night, however, will also have an international touch.

“As well as Raz initially being from Israel, Vasily and Alexandra Akimov, from Russia, will be performing as part of their international visit.”

The BashKlectic will follow Korova’s second 24-hour play festival.

On Saturday, 24 actors, six writers and six directors will form into six theatre companies, each with 24 hours to write, rehearse and perform six new pieces of theatre.

For the full programme visit www.projectkorova.co.uk.