By Isle of Wight Observer
Sir Derek Jacobi took centre stage as the legendary actor gave a performance of ‘A Knight to Remember’, as the Cowes Fringe Festival made the perfect start at East Cowes Town Hall, on Saturday.
The legendary actor’s career has spanned more than six decades, with BAFTA, Olivier, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild and Tony Awards to his name.
Sir Derek shared stories and reflections with his husband Richard Clifford, spanning his six-decade career in theatre, film, and television. There was also a charity auction, led by Nick Bonham, and a performance by IW Got Talent winner, Jennie Vacher.
The following night, also at the town hall, the Cavern Club Story took audiences on a journey through 70 years of music history, celebrating the iconic artists who performed at the venue in Liverpool, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, Oasis and Adele. The production featured narration, archival footage, and a live band.
The Fringe, which was spread across East Cowes and Cowes, also featured a production of Rabbit Rabbit, a lively tribute to Chas & Dave, and Island artists were also given a platform – Theatretrain, the Island’s young performers, presented Sing and Dance The Musicals.
Other events included two Fine Chocolate with Wine and Spirits evenings, at Bar 46 in Cowes, and there was a strong community and creative strand also ran through the festival.
Costume designer, Karen Robb, founder of The Sewing Collective, led two hands-on events: Stitches & Stories. The Cowes Community Quilt Project, invited young people to contribute to a collaborative artwork celebrating 200 years of Cowes’ maritime heritage, and held a Sewing Bee Competition Workshop.
Founded by Sara Blackwell four years ago, the festival was created to promote accessible arts, live performance, and cultural programming. The event was supported by the Cowes Waterfront Trust.