Canterbury Festival names new Director

SUSANNAH STEVENSON has been announced as Festival Director and Chief Executive of the Canterbury Festival.

Stevenson joins the annual two-week celebration of classical music, physical theatre and more from Charleston Festival, where she is Artistic Director.

Prior to Charleston, an annual 10-day interdisciplinary festival of books, arts and ideas, Stevenson was Cultural Events Producer for the British Library.

In her new role, she will lead on the delivery of Canterbury Festival and oversee a year-round public engagement programme.

Stevenson, who takes up her new position in the autumn, said she was looking forward "to building upon the festival’s long and prestigious tradition of giving audiences brilliant and varied artistic experiences in this historic city".

She added: "As a Kent girl who had a truly formative childhood experience performing as part of the Canterbury Festival many years ago, I am passionate about the role that the festival plays in the community year-round as a conduit for local talent and as a source of inspiration for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Professor KEITH MANDER, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “In our 40th year, we are really excited to welcome Susannah to the Canterbury Festival. She brings enthusiasm and dynamism to help us develop and grow our already successful festival, exploring new themes and partnerships.

"We look forward to innovative and varied programming and a host of year-round community and engagement projects, presented in an interactive and accessible style, in the context of a resilient, entrepreneurial and future-facing cultural organisation."