JAM on the Marsh returns to the Romney Marsh churches, 4th-14th July 2024
From 4-14th July 2024, JAM on the Marsh returns to Romney Marsh for its 11th festival. The festival brings world-class talent to the medieval churches of Romney Marsh and other locations across the area, including local gardens and steam railway carriages! This year, the programme features an array of international and local artists, spanning music, theatre, opera, film, poetry and visual arts.
Festival Curator Nicholas Cleobury brings highlights from New York, Vienna, Soho and Canterbury to Romney Marsh in an unmissable multi-arts festival, guaranteeing unforgettable experiences.
The festival can be accessed by shuttle-bus from Ashford International station to the venues, giving people from towns across Kent, Sussex and London easy access.
Photo left: Nicholas Cleobury by Tristan Fewings
Music is at the heart of JAM on the Marsh. St Nicholas Church, New Romney will host London Mozart Players with Mark Padmore (tenor) and Ben Goldscheider (horn); the debut of the JAM Festival Orchestra performing Vaughan Williams’ beautiful The Lark Ascending and Gershwin’s jazzy Rhapsody in Blue; JAM’s first symphony on the Marsh – Mahler’s 4th.
St George’s Church Ivychurch will provide the perfect setting for Bach’s Goldberg Variations with St Clement’s Church, Old Romney hosting Rosie Moon performing Dragonetti’s vibrant waltzes on a rare C18th double bass.
In a fascinating afternoon at St Dunstan’s Church, Snargate hear worksby Holst, Elgar and Delius. Don’t miss Stephen Layton and the Holst Singers, An Afternoon in Vienna or Canterbury Cathedral Choir at St Leonard’s Church, Hythe, close to Romney Marsh.
JAM on the Marsh celebrates the lives and works of two prominent former Romney Marsh residents: Derek Jarman and Edith Nesbit. The Edith Nesbit Society will give a rare insight into one of the UK’s favourite authors, followed by a screening of the award-winning 1970’s film adaption of The Railway Children in New Romney’s Cinemarsh.
Derek Jarman features prominently in the festival with four events celebrating the iconic filmmaker and gay rights activist, who died 30 years ago. From visits to his home Prospect Cottage at Dungeness, and a screening of his 1989 film War Requiem, toMarkFarrelly’s vibrant solo play, Jarman, and the premiere of four short operas with libretti based on the life of the pioneering artist, the audience will gain a deep insight into Jarman’s life.
Changeling Theatre, one of Kent’s favourite and irreverent outdoor theatre companies, returns to the Marsh with Noel Coward’s Present Laughter and Shakespeare’s Henry V. Bring a picnic, a chair and a rug and enjoy outdoor theatre at its best, under the copper beech tree of New Romney’s Old School Garden.
This year’s festival will champion fabulous artists exhibiting works including wave-created cyanotypes, print-making, large-scale watercolours and abstract textured oils depicting the Marsh. These free-to-view exhibitions are on display and on sale, all day, every day, in festival performance venues. In Meet the Artist talks, taking place before festival concerts, the audience can find out more about the artists, their artworks and inspiration.
From intimate solo performances to large-scale choral and orchestral concerts celebrating local talent; from family-friendly theatre to inspirational exhibitions – JAM offers something free or affordable for every taste.
For more information and tickets (£0-£20), please visit www.jamconcert.org
While visiting Romney Marsh, you could also see The Marsh Mosaics and enjoy our free audio guide for the Romney Marsh churches.
Learn more about the marsh churches before you travel, with our guidebook (from only £5 including P&P).
Support the Romney Marsh churches - become a member of the Trust.
