IF: Milton Keynes International Festival 2023 What's On Guide

Magic Carpets, 2016

centre:mk are proud

Architects of Air: Pentalum, 2014

Gaia, 2021

Headline Partners of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival 2023

We have been at the heart of Milton Keynes’ growth and evolution for over 40 years and are immensely proud of our collaboration with the Festival to commission The Place Between – an installation by Rebecca Louise Law with soundscapes by Jason Singh opening on 14th July in Middleton Hall.

Visit centremk.com for more information

Images from: Miguel Chevalier: Magic Carpets with Sound Spheres by Ray Lee (2016), Architects of Air: Pentalum (2014), Luke Jerram: Gaia and Earth Music Series: Maya Youssef (2021).

Welcome to IF: Milton Keynes International Festival

10 amazing days of extraordinary events and experiences.

From 21–30 July some of the world’s most exciting artists invite you to discover new ways of looking at the world and the challenges we face. Ideas of belonging, identity and journeys – whether physical, emotional, thought–provoking or joyous – underpin this year’s Festival, connecting us as we navigate our way through our shared history, our day–to–day living and our future.

The programme is packed with free family events, new commissions and premieres.

Festival Central in Campbell Park is back with the wonderful Spiegeltent, home to a host of live music, comedy and cabaret.

In the city that’s ‘Better by Design’ and famed for its concrete cows, we bring you Pasture with Cows (page 22) on the opening weekend.

Take a trip though The Place

Between in centre:mk (page 4) or find yourself on an unforgettable woodland walk in the dark with Kamchàtka’s Alter (page 14).

Mark the 250th anniversary of the hymn Amazing Grace with the premiere of Forever? (page 12) and lose yourself in the wonder of Place des Anges (page 16) as angels appear in the night sky above the city centre, leaving you with life–memories to treasure.

Many thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring you the seventh edition of the Festival.

Now all you have to do is make the most of it!

Monica Ferguson Festival Director & Chief Executive of The Stables

Rebecca Louise Law: The Place Between

with Soundscapes by Jason

Singh

A special commission by centre:mk in collaboration with IF: Milton Keynes International Festival.

Friday 14 – Sunday 30 July, 10.30am–5.30pm

Exploring the connection we have to our Earth and to each other, and our contribution to the cycle of life.

Artist Rebecca Louise Law is known for creating immersive installations with natural materials. Preserved flowers – individually sewn and suspended – have become the signature of her most recognised works across the globe, with visitors invited to navigate through them.

Rebecca’s new installation in Middleton Hall will emerge with the help of the local community collecting and donating local plant life to supplement her existing collection – and then working together to wire each individual element to create a huge, captivating hanging garden.

The installation has inspired a specially created soundscape by sound–artist Jason Singh. Using sensors attached to the plant materials, Jason will capture biodata to reveal their songs as they move from this life to the next.

Be part of The Place Between

Find out how you can help to create this amazing installation by donating plant material and supporting the artists at ifmiltonkeynes.org

Commissioning Partner

Location

Middleton Hall, centre:mk, MK9 3EP

Discover more Free talk, Thursday 13 July, see page 54 for details.

Please note this installation opens a week before the start of the Festival to enable as many people as possible to experience The Place Between.

Box Office: 01908 280800

Jason Singh

Awakening (2022, Honolulu Museum of Art)

Bromance

Barely Methodical Troupe:

Friday 21 July, 6.45pm

Saturday 22 July, 7pm

Sunday 23 July, 2pm

International award–winning smash hit Bromance is a five–star circus about camaraderie and affection – an audacious tour de force of physical heroics where handshakes become handstands and backslaps become backflips.

One of the UK’s hottest circus companies, Barely Methodical Troupe are at the forefront of a new kind of physical performance, creating highly entertaining shows that mix the exhilarating acrobatics of circus with the emotional punch of theatre.

Winners of the 2013 Circus Maximus Award and the 2014 Total Theatre & Jackson’s Lane Award for Circus.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£24, under–16s £22

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information Performed in the round with unreserved seating.

Linked ticket deal

Save money when you buy a ticket for any performance of Barely

Methodical Troupe: Bromance and for Abandoman, Peatbog Faeries or An Evening Without Kate Bush in the same transaction.

Les Commandos Percu: Silence!

Friday 21 July, 9.45pm

Before the storm, there is silence!

And then a slow, muffled rolling of drums pulls the audience towards a large, volcanic–like sculpture. As the drummers become one with the twisted metal mountain, the sky is set alight and the volcano erupts in a dazzling finale.

Last seen in Milton Keynes performing Clash of Drums during the Rugby World Cup in 2015, French company Les Commandos Percu fuse innovative percussion, extraordinary special effects and pyrotechnics to create an astounding wave of energy on the opening night of this year’s Festival.

Location

Campbell Park Bulbfield, MK9 3FT

Ages

Suitable for all ages; this is a loud event and you may wish to bring ear protectors for children and those who are sensitive to loud noise.

Discover more Free drumming workshop, Sunday 23 July, see page 55 for details.

Event Partner

Be Flat: Follow Me

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 July, 3.30pm

Join Be Flat on a journey full of playful street acrobatics.

Two urban acrobats from Ghent in Belgium invite you to explore central Milton Keynes in a totally unique and inventive way. You’ll be involved in the action from the start and before long, other followers will join the flash mob, wondering what on earth will happen next.

One thing is guaranteed – every performance is different!

Location

Ticket–holders will be emailed details of the meeting point in central Milton Keynes before the event.

Audience members will be moving with the performers as they explore the city.

Tickets £5 Ages 6+, under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Chineke! Chamber Ensemble: Forever?

Saturday 22 July, 8pm

A new commission responding to the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved hymns, Amazing Grace, written in Olney by the Reverend John Newton.

Amazing Grace has inspired countless people around the world and now, 250 years on, Olney’s Cowper & Newton Museum, in partnership with The Stables, presents the world premiere of Forever?.

With text by celebrated poet and writer Rommi Smith and music by renowned baritone and composer Roderick Williams OBE, the premiere will be performed by members of Chineke!, Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra.

The first half of the concert will feature works by African–American composers Florence B Price and William Grant Still.

Commissioning Partner

WORLD PREMIERE

Location

The Stables, MK17 8LU

Tickets

£25, under–18s £8.50

Discover more Pre–concert talk 6.30pm–7.15pm

See page 54 for details – tickets are free but must be booked in advance.

The performance of Forever? will be BSL interpreted.

Forever? has been commissioned by Cowper & Newton Museum with The Stables for Amazing Grace 250. Supported using public funding by The National Lottery through Arts Council England and Milton Keynes City Council. An associated education and community project is also supported by MK Community Foundation and The Wavendon Foundation.

Rommi Smith

Chineke! Chamber Ensemble

Roderick Williams

Welcome to the world of Kamchàtka…

Kamchàtka create powerful, award–winning outdoor theatre, drawing audiences into their world through silent gestures, exploring themes of migration and displacement.

Alter

UK premiere

Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 July, 9.30pm

A departure from central Milton Keynes transports you to a secret woodland location where your real journey begins…

Alter is a journey into the heart of the night in search of a shared humanity. Gradually, characters appear, each carrying their own suitcase. Who are they, what are their stories?

Alter is an unforgettable experience that is profound and joyous, immersed in surrealism and the absurd, and heading towards hope.

Location

Secret rural location.

Ticket–holders will be emailed details of the meeting point in central Milton Keynes before the event. Return to Milton Keynes by midnight.

Tickets £10

Ages 12+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

FREE EVENT

Kamchàtka

Wednesday 26 July, 12.30pm, City Square, MK9 2AD

Thursday 27 July, 12.30pm, near Milton Keynes Outdoor Market, MK9 3NT

Look out for members of Kamchàtka popping up in city centre locations during the day.

Eight characters lost in the city. Naive and curious, their emotions are barely contained. They know nothing of our norms, our rules and our way of life. The game they play is so subtle it could be mistaken for reality.

Shall we build our future with Kamchàtka, or reject them?

Ages

Suitable for all ages, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Discover more Free talk, Thursday 27 July, see page 55 for details.

A CARRER 88, S.L. production, accompanied by Melando. With the support of the Catalan Institute of Cultural Companies (ICEC) – Generalitat de Catalunya.

Gratte Ciel: Place des Anges

written and directed by Pierrot Bidon and Stéphane Girard

Friday 28 & Saturday 29 July, 9.45pm

A beautiful, astonishing and breathtaking spectacle to enchant audiences of all ages.

As night falls across the city, angels begin to appear, high up in the sky. Magically suspended above the crowd below, they start to glide down into the audience, releasing white feathers across the night sky. As the angels’ aerial antics become more boisterous, the clouds of feathers thicken, creating a sense of awe and wonder.

This is only the third time that Place des Anges has been performed in the UK – previous performances took place to critical acclaim at London’s Cultural Olympiad in 2012 and for Hull’s UK Capital of Culture programme in 2016.

Don’t miss one of the highlights of this year’s Festival!

Location

Secklow Gate

D3 Car Park (near The Point), MK9 3NE

Tickets

£6

Ages Place des Anges is an all–ages event, however under–16s must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone over 2 years old will need a ticket.

Information

VocalEyes

Pre–Show Touch Tour available, see page 56 for details.

Family Focus

A feast of family–friendly shows and experiences for the child in all of us to enjoy…

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July

De Machienerie: Carnivale

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July, see page 20

Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July, see page 22

Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July, see page 23

Trigger: Teabreak

Friday 21 July, see page 24

Gijs van Bon: Blom

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July, see page 25

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 July

Tombs Creatius: Monster Colours and The Trip

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 July, see pages 26–27

Sur Mesure: Barrière

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 July, see page 28

LaDinamo: Music on Cycles

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 July, see page 29

Make a Nature–Inspired Mobile

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July, see page 30

Dizzy O’Dare: Falconry Dismay & Kevin Tickle’s Dogs

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July, see page 31

Pagrav Dance: Deva

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July, see page 32

Daryl & Co and Mimbre: Look Mum, No Hands!

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July, see page 33

Handpicked Productions: The Promise

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July, see page 34

Box Office: 01908 280800

De Machienerie: Carnivale

UK premiere

Friday 21 July, 1.30pm–5.30pm

Saturday 22 July, 11am–4pm

Sunday 23 July, 11am–4pm

Roll up! Roll up!

Belgian theatre company De Machienerie’s Carnivale is an ingenious, interactive ‘fairground village’ full of extraordinary installations, curiosities, mechanical animals and beautiful attractions handcrafted from recycled materials… all partly operated by you, the audience!

By reflecting on the inventions and innovations of the past, Carnivale makes a poetic and powerful environmental statement about how animals are now threatened with extinction.

FREE EVENT

Location Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows

Friday 21 July, 11am–7pm

Saturday 22 July, 11am–7pm

Sunday 23 July, 10.30am–5.30pm

Belgian company Captain

Boomer invite you to enter a world of pastoral bliss in the heart of Milton Keynes city centre... with real cows!

Inspired by Old Master paintings of livestock, Pasture with Cows pauses time and draws you into a world where art and reality, city and countryside are blurred.

Location Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 2ND

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult. Discover more Free talk, Sunday 23 July, see page 54 for details.

Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July, 11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm

A playful installation that allows audiences to delight in the secret sounds under their feet.

Ear Trumpet is about listening. The noises you would miss if you didn’t listen for them. A team of sonic investigators has managed to track an exceptional auditory occurrence that runs under the ground... and just occasionally bubbles up and erupts to the surface.

Location Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 2ND

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Trigger: Teabreak

Friday 21 July, performances at 11.30am, 2pm & 4.30pm

Enjoy a well–deserved Teabreak!

Gently glide through the history and ritual of tea accompanied by a live dance performance. With freshly brewed chai and peppermint tea served from their beautifully hand–painted tuk–tuk, Trigger invite you to rest awhile, appreciate all that we have, honour moments that have passed and ready ourselves for what is to come.

Location

FREE EVENT

Festival Square, MK9 3FN (outside Door 18, centre:mk)

Tickets

Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance.

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Gijs van Bon: Blom

Friday 21 July, 10.30am–2.30pm

City Square, MK9 2AD

Saturday 22 July, 10.30am–2.30pm

Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB

Sunday 23 July, 10.30am–2.30pm

Festival Square, MK9 3FN (outside Door 18, centre:mk)

Let Blom free up the artist inside you!

Blom is a mechanical sandwriter that draws on the streets, decorating the ground as it moves along, creating a variety of picture outlines such as a large flowery carpet, an ivy garland or a flock of little hearts.

Small buckets filled with coloured sand are placed close to the drawings so that everyone can join in and add their own personal touch.

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Partner

Box Office: 01908 280800

Tombs Creatius

Friday 28 July, 4pm–7pm

Saturday 29 July, 11am–5pm

Sunday 30 July, 11am–5pm

Based in Catalonia, Tombs

Creatius make a welcome return to the Festival following their visit in 2018 with their ingenious artisan games and puzzles.

Location

Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Monster Colours

Step up to an array of interactive games to test your puzzle–solving, cup–stacking and coordination abilities. Monster Colours is a collection of 30 traditional games, built from wood and beautifully illustrated for all the family to enjoy.

Ages 4+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

The Trip

Tombs Creatius invite you to take a profound and unforgettable journey. A trip which takes the participant to the limit, to the real border or… who knows? We can’t tell you more or it would spoil the surprise!

Ages 14+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Box Office: 01908 280800

Sur Mesure: Barrière

Friday 28 July

3pm & 5pm, Festival Square, MK9 3FN (outside Door 18, centre:mk)

FREE EVENT

Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July 11.45am & 2.15pm, Campbell Park Bulbfield, MK9 3FT

Life is great, while you wait!

Four Belgian artists with a rich background in music, performance, theatre and street theatre come together to fulfil their life’s duty… to submit themselves to the needs of an old barrier.

With humour, mischief and live music, Sur Mesure invite you to enter a bizarre world without doors.

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

LaDinamo: Music on Cycles

Friday 28 & Saturday 29 July

3.45pm, meet at Festival Square, MK9 3FN (outside Door 18, centre:mk)

Sunday 30 July

11.30am, meet at Market Square, MK9 3BA (outside Door 8, centre:mk)

2.15pm, meet at City Square, MK9 2AD

LaDinamo are a funk band that break the mould.

The band from Catalonia perform a (literally!) moving concert, creating a high–energy street party to the rhythm of funk as they go. This is a fast–paced, interactive show where you, the audience, can help to make every concert unique and different.

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Partners

Make a Nature–Inspired Mobile

with Cathy Ebbels and Rachel Wright

Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July, 11am–4pm

Bees, butterflies, leaves and flowers, seeds, sticks and beads!

Inspired by the work of Rebecca Louise Law and her installation The Place Between, this free family workshop invites you to make your own hanging mobile using a range of natural materials.

Location Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Ages

Suitable for families with children from ages 4+ (adult support required).

Enter the madcap world of Dizzy O’Dare where nothing is quite as it seems…

Bulbfield, MK9 3FT

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Falconry Dismay

Saturday 29 July, 1.30pm & 4.45pm

Dizzy O’Dare ruffles feathers with Falconry Dismay, an anarchic and wild flight into the world of falconry shows. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey, their expert handler holds tight to the tethers to keep the show going.

Kevin Tickle’s Dogs!

Sunday 30 July, 1.30pm & 3.45pm

FREE

EVENT

FREE

Pagrav Dance: Deva

Saturday 29 July, 11am & 3pm

Sunday 30 July, 12.30pm & 4.30pm

Pagrav bring classical Indian dance to the heart of the city.

Milton Keynes–based company Pagrav Dance present the complexities of British Asian identity through a playful approach to classicism, connecting dance and the everyday. Challenging myths and expectations, Pagrav reframe movement with sound and text to reveal insights and surprises at every turn.

Location

FREE EVENT

Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information

Both performances on Sunday 30 July will be BSL interpreted.

Daryl & Co and Mimbre: Look Mum, No Hands!

Saturday 29 July, 12.30pm & 4pm

Sunday 30 July, 11am & 3pm

A tender tale of friendship and growing up.

Look Mum, No Hands! explores a coming–of–age story about two friends testing their own boundaries. Visually stunning with exciting acrobatic shapes and unexpected choreography, the show will have you on the edge of your seat!

Daryl & Co are a Disabled–led company where collaboration and co–creation meet mischief and merriment. Mimbre are a female–led company creating acrobatic theatre for outdoor and unusual settings.

Location

Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Handpicked Productions: The Promise

Saturday 29 July, 2pm & 5pm

Sunday 30 July, 1pm & 4pm

Based on the celebrated book The Promise, this new outdoor opera for families tells the story of a young girl who lives in a hard city.

One night she tries to steal from an old woman but in the struggle that follows, the girl is urged to make a promise that will transform her life.

Park Canalside, MK14 5DZ

Tickets £5

Ages 6+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information Sunday 30 July: both performances will be BSL interpreted/ signed. A free BSL workshop will take place in the Spiegeltent on Friday 28 July at 1.30pm – see page 57 for details.

Based on the book The Promise © Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin. Licensed by Walker Books Ltd.

Festival Central

Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, nearest postcode MK9 3FT

Festival Central is open to everyone – come and soak up the atmosphere! It’s home to The Stables Spiegeltent, the Acoustic Stage, an exciting programme of outdoor performances and free family events, food outlets, bars and the Festival Box Office.

Festival Central opening times:

Friday 21 July 12 noon–11.30pm

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 July 10.30am–11.30pm

Monday 24 – Thursday 27 July 5pm–11.30pm

Friday 28 July 3.30pm–11.30pm

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July 10.30am–11.30pm

Welcome to The Stables Spiegeltent Festival Central

The Spiegeltent is the Festival’s exotic setting for live music, comedy and cabaret.

Beautifully constructed with wood, stained glass, velvet drapes and mirrors, and complete with its own bar, The Spiegeltent is the beating heart of the Festival.

Location Festival Central, Campbell Park, nearest postcode MK9 3FT

Programme at a glance

Barely Methodical Troupe: Bromance

Friday 21 –

Sunday 23 July

Abandoman: Future Music

Friday 21 July

Nick Cope

Saturday 22 July

Peatbog Faeries

Saturday 22 July

An Evening Without Kate Bush

Sunday 23 July

Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young

Monday 24 July

Suzi Ruffell: Snappy

Tuesday 25 July

Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan: Still As Your Sleeping

Wednesday 26 July

Turin Brakes with support from Elizabeth & Jameson

Thursday 27 July

Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp

Friday 28 July

Cabaret of Ideas

Saturday 29 July

Comedy Club

4 Kids

Saturday 29 July

La Voix

Saturday 29 July

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave

Sunday 30 July Monster

Ceilidh Band

Sunday 30 July

Box Office: 01908 280800

Abandoman: Future Music

Friday 21 July, 8.45pm

Welcome to the world of Ireland’s finest hip–hop musical comedian, Rob Broderick, a.k.a. Abandoman.

Using his trademark blend of audience interaction and razor–sharp improvisation, Rob takes you on a magical journey, transforming the audience’s likes, loathes and daydreams into hit songs and captivating tales.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£13.50

Ages 15+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Linked ticket deal

Save £6 when you buy a ticket for any performance of Barely Methodical Troupe: Bromance and for Abandoman in the same transaction.

Nick Cope Family Concert

Saturday 22 July, 11am & 1.30pm

Nick Cope has been performing his wonderful songs for families for more than 10 years.

Nick has an incredible fan base which has grown enormously due to the phenomenal success of his CBeebies show He performs his uniquely crafted songs accompanied by a backdrop of his own beautifully animated projections.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£14.50, under–16s £12.50

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information

Unreserved seating, theatre–style.

Peatbog Faeries

Saturday 22 July, 9pm Legendary Scottish trailblazers Peatbog Faeries create a glorious mix of traditional sounds and dance–floor grooves.

From the moment the band take to the stage, the mood is set for a no–nonsense, feelgood atmosphere as they draw on a dazzling array of musical influences, from jigs and reels through jazz, African, dance music and more.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets £27.50

Information

All standing/dancing show, with limited seating.

Linked ticket deal

Save £4 when you buy a ticket for any performance of Barely Methodical Troupe: Bromance and for Peatbog Faeries in the same transaction.

An Evening Without Kate Bush

performed by Sarah–Louise Young

Sunday 23 July, 8pm

Release your inner Bush and celebrate at this joyful, unique and mind–blowing show.

Following critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe runs and UK tours, this award–winning show is back!

Sarah–Louise Young and co–creator Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£20

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Linked ticket deal

Save £7.50 when you buy a ticket for any performance of Barely Methodical Troupe: Bromance and for An Evening Without Kate Bush in the same transaction.

Los Pacaminos

featuring Paul Young

Monday 24 July, 8pm

Take a foot–stomping journey into the world of Mexican border blues.

Los Pacaminos are now in their 30th year and show no signs of hanging up their boots. With an unmatched live reputation, two acclaimed studio albums and two live albums under their belts, the band continue to explore and celebrate the music of the Deep Southwest.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets £25

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Suzi Ruffell: Snappy

Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan: Still As Your Sleeping

Wednesday 26 July, 8pm

An evening of intimate, stripped–back songs performed entirely with voice and grand piano.

Karine Polwart is a seven–time winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and her latest album is a collaboration with renowned jazz/folk pianist Dave Milligan. Deceptively simple yet devastatingly powerful, the album is threaded through with images of stillness and flux.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets £20

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Turin Brakes

+ support from Elizabeth & Jameson

Thursday 27 July, 8pm

Recent reviews cite Turin Brakes as ‘a formidable live act with equally killer songs’.

Turin Brakes released Mercury Prize–shortlisted The Optimist LP in March 2001 and since then have racked up seven top 40 singles, seven top 40 albums and over a million record sales worldwide. 2022 saw the band release their ninth studio album Wide–Eyed Nowhere.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£25

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp

Friday 28 July, 7.30pm

With close to a century of experience between them, music runs through the veins of Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp.

Toyah and Robert perform live with a full band, presenting a joyful and upbeat set of classic songs to delight festival–goers and live music lovers alike.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£38.50

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Cabaret of Ideas

Saturday 29 July, 11.30am

For one morning only, you are invited to engage with a live speed-learning session featuring a line–up of fascinating thought leaders, experts and mavericks drawn from, or who have a strong connection with, Milton Keynes.

After being plied with coffee and pastry, the audience will lucky–dip from 15 candidates and pick four 20–minute conversations to have over the course of the event as people share their passions, thoughts, insights and revelations. Who knows who you’ll meet?

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£5 (includes coffee and pastry)

Information

Unreserved seating.

Ages 14+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Knowledge Partner

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Saturday 29 July, 2pm

The best stand–ups from the comedy circuit do their thing for an audience of children and their families… but without the rude bits!

The show is just like a normal comedy club but it’s on during the day, kids are allowed in and there is a higher than usual chance of heckles such as “why is that your face!?”.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£12.50, under–16s £11

Information

Unreserved seating, theatre–style.

Ages 3+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

La Voix

Saturday 29 July, 8pm

Britain’s funniest redhead is swinging into town with her most ambitious show yet!

This brand–new show promises an evening like no other, with huge live vocals, a live band and side–splitting comedy. La Voix brings you a unique evening of entertainment in the company of a true legend!

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets

£25

Information

Unreserved seating, cabaret–style.

Ages 14+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave

Sunday 30 July, 1pm–3pm

The award–winning family rave sensation comes to the Spiegeltent!

Throw some wicked shapes on the family–only, multisensory dance floor filled with bubbles, balloons and snow foam and topped off with a giant parachute finale. If a break from dancing is needed, younger ravers can dive into the free craft activity area to recharge their batteries.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets £15.50, under–16s £13.50

Ages 2+, under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Information

All standing/dancing with limited seating.

Monster Ceilidh Band

Sunday 30 July, 7.30pm

Join us for the end of Festival party as we say a huge thank–you to our volunteers and supporters. Get ready for an irresistible combination of favourite dances accompanied by innovative sets, creative chord progressions, intense electronics and folk tunes performed by some of the UK’s finest musicians.

Location

The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Tickets £16.50

Information

All standing/dancing with limited, unreserved seating.

The Stables Sessions: Acoustic Stage

FREE EVENTS

Friday 21 – Sunday 30 July

Sessions that put a spotlight on new sounds, emerging talent and unsigned bands.

Enjoy a drink and listen to some great live music in the informal and relaxed atmosphere of our Arabian Bar Tent.

Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes. Suitable for all ages, but under–16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Location Arabian Bar Tent, Festival Central, Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Amit Dattani

Friday 21 July

5.45pm Daria Kulesh

8pm Hannah Scott

Saturday 22 July

2.30pm Joe Bygraves

3.30pm Robert Lane

4.30pm Navaro

6.15pm Lizzy Hardingham

8.15pm Billy Watman

Sunday 23 July

1.15pm Lilac Fall

3.15pm Sunsinger & the High Seas

4.15pm Detweiler

5.15pm Tom Duggan

6.15pm Anna Hester

7.15pm Rob Wheeler

Monday 24 July 7pm Palmerston

Tuesday 25 July

7pm Roses & Pirates (full band)

Wednesday 26 July 7pm Smith & Brewer

Thursday 27 July

6pm Emily Faye 7pm Tremaine Dawkins

Friday 28 July

5.45pm Barbara Nesbitt

6.45pm Natasha Seale

Saturday 29 July 1pm Elizabeth & Jameson

3pm Ebony Buckle

4pm Jinder

5pm George Montague

6pm Chris Cleverley

7pm Amit Dattani

Sunday 30 July

12.15pm Hope in High Water

3.30pm Midori Jaeger

4.30pm Roses & Pirates (acoustic)

5.30pm Minnie Birch

6.30pm Manny & The Coloured Sky

Natasha Seale

Billy Watman

Tremaine Dawkins

Discover more

Free talks and workshops exploring different themes of the Festival programme.

Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance.

FREE EVENTS

The Place Between

Thursday 13 July, 4.30pm–5.15pm

Middleton Hall, centre:mk

Discussing the use of flowers in different cultures with artist Rebecca Louise Law, creator of The Place Between, and Carla Benza and Jess Hughes from The Open University.

Forever?

Saturday 22 July, 6.30pm–7.15pm

The Stables, Stockwell Lane, MK17 8RU

Featuring writer Rommi Smith, Martin Clarke and Donald Burrows from The Open University’s Music Department, and a pre–recorded interview with Roderick Williams, composer of this year’s AG250 commission Forever?, we explore the role of new music in marking key events and dates.

Rommi Smith

Saturday 22 July, 12.30pm–1.30pm

Arabian Tent, Festival Central, Campbell Park

Award-winning writer Rommi Smith reads from her new choral work Forever?, a collaborative commission with composer, Roderick Williams. Rommi will share some of the stories behind the words, alongside other work relating to the themes in the piece. With audience Q&A.

Pasture with Cows

Sunday 23 July, 11.30am–12.15pm

YMCA, 1 North Sixth Street, MK9 2NR Bart Van Peel from Pasture with Cows, Chris Bridgman from Bridgman & Bridgman Living Green Roof Services and Lewis Dickinson from The Parks Trust discuss agriculture, intensive farming and carbon impact.

Kamchàtka: Inside The Suitcase

Thursday 27 July, 4.30pm–5.15pm

Arabian Tent, Festival Central, Campbell Park Exploring Kamchàtka’s work and themes of migration. Chaired by Angus MacKechnie, Chief Executive of Outdoor Arts and with a panel featuring Agnes Czajka from The Open University and a member of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation team.

Workshop Drumming Workshop

Sunday 23 July, 11am–12.15pm

Festival Central, Campbell Park

For ages 10+

Following the drumming and effects spectacular of Les Commandos Percu’s Silence! , this is a chance to try your hand at making a big percussive sound and to help research new ways of making music.

Help us to widen access to the Festival

We know the benefits that creativity and culture can have in improving people’s wellbeing, and that many people face barriers to taking part, especially in the current economic climate.

By supporting our philanthropic City of Angels fund, your donation will help the lives of more people and communities in Milton Keynes to be enriched by engaging with unforgettable live cultural experiences as part of the Festival.

Starting from £100, businesses and individuals can support as a named angel. You can also help by donating online when you book tickets.

For more information visit ifmiltonkeynes.org

The Stables is a registered charity. (Regd. Charity 1178665)

Access information, events and tours

The Festival welcomes d/Deaf and disabled visitors.

The event pages on the Festival website provide you with access information about each event. Visit ifmiltonkeynes.org

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Email: access@stables.org

Tel: 01908 280800

BSL and audio–described performances

Chineke! Chamber

Ensemble: Forever?

Saturday 22 July, 8pm

£25, The Stables, MK17 8LU

BSL Interpretation by Paul Whittaker.

Gratte Ciel: Place Des Anges

Saturday 29 July, 8.45pm

£6, Secklow Gate D3 Car Park, near The Point, central Milton Keynes

VocalEyes Pre–Show Touch

Tour and Audio Description: 8.45pm Touch Tour (free event, but tickets must be booked in advance) 9.45pm Performance starts

Handpicked Productions: The Promise

Sunday 30 July, 1pm & 4pm

£5, Great Linford Park Canalside

Performances include BSL interpretation.

Pagrav Dance: Deva

Sunday 30 July, 12.30pm & 4.30pm

Free event, Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

Performances include BSL interpretation.

Tours and workshops

Tickets for the following events are free but must be booked in advance.

VocalEyes Audio Described

Guided Touch Tour

Friday 21 July, 11.30am–1pm

Tour starts: Middleton Hall, centre:mk

Tour ends: Festival Square (near centre:mk car park)

Includes visits to Rebecca Louise Law: The Place Between and Trigger: Teabreak.

Assistance dogs welcome.

VocalEyes Audio Described

Guided Touch Tour

Saturday 22 July, 10.15am–1.45pm

Tour starts: Fred Roche Gardens

Tour ends: Festival Central, Campbell Park

Great for families with Blind and visually impaired children and young people.

Includes visits to Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet, Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows and De Machienerie: Carnivale.

BSL Tour led by Deaf Guide

John Wilson

Saturday 22 July, 12.30pm–3pm

Tour starts: Fred Roche Gardens

Tour ends: Middleton Hall, centre:mk

Includes visits to Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows, Gijs Van Blon: Blom and Rebecca Louise Law: The Place Between. Bring a picnic. Ice–cream on sale at Fred Roche Gardens.

BSL Workshop

Handpicked Productions: The Promise

Friday 28 July,1.30pm–3pm

The Stables Spiegeltent

Have you ever had to make an unexpected promise, a promise that will transform your life and the place you live in? This free workshop for d/Deaf audiences will explore the themes of The Promise.

Access guides

You can download the IF: 2023 Access Guide from the Festival website. It includes information on all events, BSL and Audio Described

Performances and Guided Tours. You can also download the IF: 2023

Easy Read Guide, BSL Video Guide and VocalEyes Audio Description Guide.

Calendar of events

A guide to each day of the Festival

Should bad weather affect the staging of outdoor events, the Festival will make every effort to reschedule or relocate the programme.

Please follow the Festival on social media @IFMKfest for updates.

All end times are approximate.

Friday 21 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

10.30am–2.30pm

Gijs van Bon: Blom City Square

11am–7pm Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows

11am–1pm Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet

Fred Roche Gardens

Fred Roche Gardens

11.30am–12.10pm Trigger: Teabreak Festival Square

11.30am–1pm Audio Described Guided Touch Tour Middleton Hall, centre:mk

1.30pm–5.30pm De Machienerie: Carnivale Festival Central, Campbell Park

2pm–3.10pm Trigger: Teabreak Festival Square

2pm–4pm

Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet

Fred Roche Gardens

4.30pm–5.10pm Trigger: Teabreak Festival Square

5.45pm–6.30pm

Daria Kulesh

6.45pm–7.45pm Barely Methodical Troupe:

Bromance

8pm–8.45pm Hannah Scott

8.45pm–9.45pm Abandoman

Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.45pm–10.30pm Les Commandos Percu: Silence! Campbell Park Bulbfield

Saturday 22 July

10.15am–1.45pm Audio Described Guided Touch Tour Fred Roche Gardens

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

10.30am–2.30pm Gijs van Bon: Blom Midsummer Place

11am–12 noon Nick Cope Family Concert Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

11am–7pm Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows Fred Roche Gardens

11am–1pm Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet Fred Roche Gardens

11am–4pm De Machienerie: Carnivale Festival Central, Campbell Park

12.30pm–1.30pm IF Talk: Rommi Smith Arabian Tent, Campbell Park

12.30pm–3pm BSL Tour Fred Roche Gardens

1.30pm–2.30pm Nick Cope Family Concert Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

2pm–4pm Gobbledegook: Ear Trumpet Fred Roche Gardens

2.30pm–3.15pm Joe Bygraves Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

3.30pm–4.30pm Be Flat: Follow Me Central Milton Keynes

3.30pm–4.15pm Robert Lane

Stage, Campbell Park

4.30pm–5.15pm Navaro Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

6.15pm–7pm Lizzy Hardingham Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

6.30pm–7.15pm IF Talk: Forever? The Stables, Milton Keynes

7pm–8pm

8.15pm–9pm

–11pm

Sunday 23 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

10.30am–5.30pm Captain Boomer: Pasture with Cows

10.30am–2.30pm

van Bon: Blom

Central, Campbell Park 11.30am–12.15pm IF Talk: Pasture with Cows

11am–4pm De Machienerie: Carnivale

Milton Keynes 1.15pm–2pm Lilac Fall

Stage, Campbell Park 2pm–3pm

Methodical Troupe:

2pm–4pm

Ear Trumpet

Campbell Park

Sunday 23 July (continued)

3.15pm–4pm Sunsinger & the High Seas Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

3.30pm–4.30pm Be Flat: Follow Me Central Milton Keynes

4.15pm–5pm Detweiler Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

5.15pm–6pm Tom Duggan Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

6.15pm–7pm Anna Hester Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

7.15pm–8pm Rob Wheeler Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm Sarah–Louise Young: An Evening Without Kate Bush Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

Monday 24 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

7pm–7.45pm Palmerston Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm Los Pacaminos Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

Tuesday 25 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

7pm–7.45pm Roses & Pirates (full band) Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm Suzi Ruffell: Snappy Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.30pm–12 midnight Kamchàtka: Alter Secret rural location

Wednesday 26 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

12.30pm–1.30pm Kamchàtka: Kamchàtka City Square, Milton Keynes

7pm–7.45pm Smith & Brewer Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.30pm–12 midnight Kamchàtka: Alter Secret rural location

Thursday 27 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

12.30pm–1.30pm Kamchàtka: Kamchàtka near Milton Keynes Outdoor Market

4.30pm–5.15pm IF Talk: Kamchàtka: Inside The Suitcase Arabian Tent, Festival Central

6pm–6.45pm Emily Faye Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

7pm–7.45pm Tremaine Dawkins Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm Turin Brakes Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.30pm–12 midnight Kamchàtka: Alter Secret rural location

Friday 28 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

1.30pm–3pm Handpicked Productions: The Promise BSL Workshop Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

3pm–3.30pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Festival Square

3.45pm–4.30pm LaDinamo: Music on Cycles Festival Square

4pm–7pm Tombs Creatius: Monster Colours & The Trip Festival Central, Campbell Park

5pm–5.30pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Festival Square

5.45pm–6.30pm Barbara Nesbitt Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

6.45pm–7.30pm Natasha Seale Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

7.30pm–9.30pm Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.45pm–10.45pm Gratte Ciel: Place des Anges Secklow Gate D3 Car Park, near The Point

Calendar continues over page

Saturday 29 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

11am–5pm Tombs Creatius:

Monster Colours & The Trip Festival Central, Campbell Park

11am–4pm Make a Nature–Inspired Mobile Festival Central, Campbell Park

11am–11.30am Pagrav Dance: Deva

Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

11.30am–12.30pm Cabaret of Ideas Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

11.45am–12.15pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Campbell Park Bulbfield

12.30pm–1.10pm Daryl & Co and Mimbre

Look Mum, No Hands! Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

1pm–1.45pm Elizabeth & Jameson Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

1.30pm–2pm Dizzy O’Dare: Falconry Dismay Campbell Park Bulbfield

2pm–3.30pm Comedy Club 4 Kids Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

2pm–3pm Handpicked Productions: The Promise Great Linford Park Canalside

2.15pm–2.45pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Campbell Park Bulbfield

3pm–3.45pm Ebony Buckle Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

3pm–3.30pm Pagrav Dance: Deva Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

3.45pm-4.30pm LaDinamo: Music on Cycles Festival Square

4pm–4.40pm Daryl & Co and Mimbre:

Look Mum, No Hands! Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

4pm–4.45pm Jinder Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

4.45pm–5.15pm Dizzy O’Dare: Falconry Dismay Campbell Park Bulbfield

5pm–5.45pm George Montague Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

5pm–6pm Handpicked Productions: The Promise Great Linford Manor Park Canalside

6pm–6.45pm Chris Cleverley Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

7pm–7.45pm Amit Dattani Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

8pm–10pm La Voix Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

9.45pm–10.45pm Gratte Ciel: Place des Anges Secklow Gate D3 Car Park, near The Point

Sunday 30 July

10.30am–5.30pm Rebecca Louise Law & Jason Singh: The Place Between Middleton Hall, centre:mk

11am–5pm Tombs Creatius: Monster Colours & The Trip Festival Central, Campbell Park

11am–4pm Make a Nature–Inspired Mobile Festival Central, Campbell Park

11am–11.40am Daryl & Co and Mimbre: Look Mum, No Hands! Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

11.30am–12.15pm LaDinamo: Music on Cycles Market Square

11.45am–12.15pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Campbell Park Bulbfield

12.15pm–1pm Hope in High Water Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

12.30pm–1pm Pagrav Dance: Deva Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

1pm–2pm Handpicked Productions: The Promise Great Linford Manor Park Canalside

1pm–3pm Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

1.30pm–2pm Dizzy 0’Dare: Kevin Tickle’s Dogs Campbell Park Bulbfield

2.15pm–2.45pm Sur Mesure: Barrière Campbell Park Bulbfield

2.15pm–3pm LaDinamo: Music on Cycles City Square

3pm–3.40pm Daryl & Co and Mimbre: Look Mum, No Hands! Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

3.30pm–4.15pm Midori Jaeger Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

3.45pm–4.15pm Dizzy 0’Dare: Kevin Tickle’s Dogs Campbell Park Bulbfield

4pm–5pm Handpicked Productions: The Promise Great Linford Park Canalside

4.30pm–5pm Pagrav Dance: Deva Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park

4.30pm–5.15pm Roses & Pirates (acoustic) Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

5.30pm–6.15pm Minnie Birch Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

6.30pm–7.15pm Manny & The Coloured Sky Acoustic Stage, Campbell Park

7.30pm–9.30pm Monster Ceilidh Band Spiegeltent, Campbell Park

How to book tickets

Online 24 hours: ifmiltonkeynes.org

The Stables Box Office

By phone: 01908 280800

In person: The Stables Box Office, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU

Please visit stables.org for opening hours.

Box offices at Festival sites

Middleton Hall, centre:mk

Open Friday 14 – Sunday 30 July, 10.30am–5.30pm each day (in–person bookings only)

Festival Central at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Open Friday 21 – Sunday 30 July (in-person bookings only)

Friday 21 July: from 12 noon

Saturdays and Sundays: from 10.30am

Monday – Thursday: from 5pm

Friday 28 July: from 3.30pm

The Festival Central Box Office closes approximately 15 minutes after the final show of the day has begun.

Booking information

Concessions and discounts

All concessions and discounts are offered subject to availability on a fixed allocation basis and vary according to individual events.

Discounts cannot be combined with other offers, or applied retrospectively, and can be withdrawn at any time.

If you have access requirements, please contact the Box Office on 01908 280800 or email access@stables.org

Booking fees

Prices published in this brochure include all booking fees.

Latecomers

Latecomers may be admitted at a suitable break in the performance for most events – this is at the discretion of the Festival, and for some events is not possible. No refunds will be given to latecomers who cannot be admitted.

Ticket sales

IF: Milton Keynes International Festival box offices are managed and operated by The Stables. All tickets are sold subject to our Terms and Conditions, available at stables.org, and any event–specific information provided.

Box Office: 01908 280800

Central Milton Keynes Festival locations

1. Fred Roche Gardens, 406 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 2ND ///trickster.cracking.cocktail

2. City Square, junction of Silbury Boulevard and Saxon Gate, MK9 2AD ///microchip.uncle.book

3. Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB ///photocopy.greed.trusts

4. Market Square, MK9 3BA (outside Door 8, centre:mk) ///ambitions.flag.snaps

5. Secklow Gate D3 Car Park (near The Point), MK9 3NE ///ratty.smile.loaders

6. Middleton Hall, centre:mk: (shopping centre). Enter via Doors 11 or 13 North on Silbury Arcade and 12 or 14 South on Midsummer Arcade, MK9 3EP ///canoe.newspaper.silks Box Office and information: Middleton Hall, centre:mk

7. Festival Square, MK9 3FN (outside Door 18 centre:mk) ///latches.revived.ambushed

8. Campbell Park: nearest postcode MK9 3FT ///revealing.flood.baroness

Venues outside the city centre

The Stables: Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, MK17 8LU ///coast.filed.grain

Great Linford Manor Park Canalside: Great Linford, nearest postcode MK14 5DZ ///compiler.stowing.musical

14. Workshop Space

Key Toilets

WAY

9. Campbell Park Bulbfield ///flows.plants.heaven

Handpicked Productions: The Promise

Great Linford Manor Park Canalside, Milton Keynes, MK14 5DZ

Parking: Available at Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5DZ. From here there is a 10–minute walk along a level walkway to the performance site.

Blue Badge parking: Limited Blue Badge parking is available at Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5DZ. From here it is a few minutes down a gentle slope to the performance site.

Key: Parklands parking

Blue Badge parking at Parklands

Box Office

Toilets, including accessible toilets

MILTON KEYNES ART CENTRE

Event and site information

Festival Central: Campbell Park, MK9 3FT

Car parking: Available in city centre car parks. Limited Blue Badge parking available at Festival Central, off Avebury Boulevard (opposite Columbia Place), with the nearest drop–off point also here. Cycle parking: Available in the city and at Festival Central, as well as at other Festival sites, including Fred Roche Gardens and Linford Manor Park.

By bus: Please visit the Arriva bus website arrivabus.co.uk/MK

On foot: Campbell Park lies at the far east of centre:mk, linked to the city centre by footbridges and via the underpass near Hotel La Tour and MK Gallery.

Access: There is a good network of all–weather paths in Campbell Park. Every effort will be made to create level access on site. Accessible toilets are located in Festival Central.

The Stables Spiegeltent: Accessible to wheelchair users with ramped access into the venue and onto the dance floor. Where events are billed as ‘all standing/dancing with limited unreserved seating’, please seek advice from the Box Office on 01908 280800 or email access@stables.org at time of booking if you have specific mobility requirements. The Spiegeltent has an infra–red induction loop system. Acoustic Stage: Has an infra–red induction loop system.

Fred Roche Gardens: 406 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 2ND

Every effort will be made to create level access on site with additional temporary trackways.

Accessible toilets will be available.

Campbell Park, Fred Roche Gardens and Secklow Gate D3 Car Park

No pets please, only registered assistance dogs are permitted.

Camping and BBQs are not permitted. No glass bottles or alcohol purchased off site are permitted on site.

Alcohol purchased at Festival Central is not permitted into the wider Campbell Park area.

Festival stewards, First Aiders and other services are on site to help you – please approach them if you have any questions. Stay safe, be sensible – enjoy your visit!

Photography and filming

Festival events will be filmed and photographed for publicity purposes.

By entering Festival sites, you agree to these guidelines. Information in this brochure is correct at time of going to print. The Festival reserves the right to make alterations if necessary. For latest Festival information, visit ifmiltonkeynes.org and follow @IFMKfest #IFKMfest on social media.

Boyd & Evans: 7 May – 17 September

This first major survey of artist duo Boyd & Evans in over a decade marks 55 years of their collaboration. The exhibition will focus on paintings, spanning their careers from the 1960s to today. In 1980 Boyd (Fionnuala Boyd) & Evans (Les Evans) were commissioned to make work by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation. More information: mkgallery.org

Tendayi Vine: Art Craft Technology

Open throughout IF:2023

Supported by MK City Council, Art Craft Technology is a new artist in residency programme at Westbury Art Centre, Shenley Wood. For the inaugural residency, London–based artist Tendayi Vine has been developing a new work over the past six months. Raised in Milton Keynes, Tendayi is a spatial practitioner. Her work explores landscapes of information and ubiquitous networks that mediate between the material and ephemeral.

More information: westburyartscentre.org.uk

Location Milton Keynes Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA

Location

Westbury Art Centre, Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, MK5 6AA

IF: 2023 Partners

IF: 2023 extends thanks to the many individuals, organisations and companies, staff and volunteers who work to make the Festival a success.

Produced by Supported by Headline Partner

Volunteer Partner Inclusion Partner Green Spaces Partner Knowledge Partner

Event Partners

Producing Partners

Media Partners

Festival Supporters

Innovation Founders

Pioneers: Dame Ann Limb DBE DL, Jim & Tessa Rice, The Anson Charitable Trust

Adventurers: John & Penny Best, Steve & Ruth Hasson, Laura & Christian Keen, Steve & Louise O’Hara, Rupert & Milly Soames

Explorers: Mary Hartley & Peter Hall, Marian Livingstone, Lady Rima & Lord Richard Scott

City of Angels

Guardian Angels: Steve & Ruth Hasson, Monica Ferguson, Campbell Park Canalside (Glenbrook and Urban Splash)