White Rose Winter Festival launched
THE courtyard at Ripley Castle will be transformed into a winter theatre auditorium later this year as it stages a range of music events.
The White Rose Winter Festival between December 1 and 4 includes The Four Seasons by Candlelight, A Night at the Opera, The Sound of Musicals and the Ripley Castle Winter Proms.
York-based firm Pinnacle Marquees will be drafted in to set up the venue to accommodate a large stage and seating for up to 1,600 people.
The festival has been developed by White Rose Festivals, the new sister company of Harrogate-based Temple Roberts, which has dedicated its events business to expanding the profile of Yorkshire’s event programme.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, one of the sponsors of the White Rose Winter Festival, said: “Yorkshire will be offering some of the UK’s greatest classical musical entertainment. From opera and musicals to stirring proms concerts, this festival is a great opportunity to further expand and build on Yorkshire’s cultural offering.
“Thousands of people will be attracted to such magical performances, both from within Yorkshire and outside the region and the resulting boost in revenue for local businesses will be significant.”
Sir Thomas Ingilby said: “Ripley Castle is delighted to launch the Christmas season with this magnificent four day event. We have been working to widen our event programme, bringing artists like Jools Holland and Katherine Jenkins to Ripley Castle.
“The White Rose Winter Festival is a unique event concept which makes full use the castle’s hospitality space and our sizeable courtyard in which we are proud to be housing an impressive programme of classical, opera and West End productions.”
Tickets and hospitality are on sale at www.whiterosefestivals.com.
The early-bird offer runs until April 26 and entitles early bookers to a complimentary programme worth £5 for every two tickets purchased.
White Rose Festivals will be supporting Leeds-based children’s cancer charity Candlelighters with revenue from the festival’s programme sales.
