Latitude - our best ever wet weekend

Well we've just about dried off... And despite the rain, we had a fantastic weekend at Latitude! Hugh Hughes' special preview performance of 360 went down a storm and we all found time to see some brilliant acts.

My highlights were Grace Jones and The Gossip (and not just because I love strong women). Regina Spektor was fantastic and I fell in love with 1927 all over again (...more strong women).

Slightly further off the beaten track, we enjoyed the endearingly adolescent Ruby And Her Whorses, a super-subversive performance by David Hoyles and my favourite ever stand-up Andy Zalztman. (Choice one-liner: 'Don't complain about being eaten by a horse if you play polo dressed a sugar cube.')

Our most magical festival moment came on the opening night, in the form of La Reve, a commissioned performance by The Irrepressibles. Imagine an alternative baroque orchestra, with musicians dressed in Tim Burton (or even Edward Gorey)-esque costumes performing in the Human Music Box (pictured below) but at night, with the lights shimmering off the lake.


And I must also give a massive shout-out to the people running a shop stall which at night transformed into an unofficial jungle 'stage'. Dancing in the rain with twelve other people - all totally comitted members of the Junglist Massive - was a delight!

Most importantly, Hugh Hughes' performance in the Theatre Tent on Sunday was a great success. With so many other things on offer, it was to Hugh's great credit that the audience grew and grew as the show went on until the tent was absolutely packed. And 360 is in fantastic shape, with just one more preview to go before Edinburgh!

I should take this opportunity to say hello to Harvey, who Hugh invited on stage to play the role of Gareth. Harvey is eight, the same age as Gareth in the story Hugh wanted to tell, and he gave a great performance - thank you!


Don't forget that 360 will head to Reading's South Street Arts Centre on Thursday for a performance at 8pm, with tickets at just £5. Click here to book! We hope to see lots of you there.

Finally, Hoipolloi must thank everyone who made Latitude happen. It was a wonderful festival which we would all heartily recommend. And most importantly, thank you to Emma Bettridge and all at Pleasance for inviting us to be part of Latitude's Picks of the Pleasance season.