This years Du Maurier festival was – as usual – a massive success. Sheila Vanloo highlights some of the best bits...

Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain

Mention the word ‘ukelele’, and George Formby or Tiny Tim would most likely spring to mind – until now. Suddenly the uke is cool, and basks in the glory of appearing on stage with the likes of Patrick Wolf and Johnny Marr. But the most fashionable exponents of uke music are undoubtedly the marvellous Ukelele Orchestra Of Great Britain.

From Oyster Festivals to Glastonbury, this seven-piece band entertain and delight audiences of all ages, so it was no surprise to find a packed house at Fowey. The audience were treated to an amazing variety of instantly recognisable numbers which have been cleverly rearranged by the band. Every possible style of music was covered, from bluegrass to punk, calling on classical and jazz along the way; the evening was filled with music and much laughter. A Russian version of ‘Leaning On A Lamp Post’? No problem! Some Bill Haley or The Sex Pistols? Bring it on.

The band closed the show with a hilarious version of ‘Je T’aime’, which was greeted with riotous applause and a standing ovation from a very happy crowd.

The Blockheads

Opening number ‘Wake Up And Make Love With Me’ proved that The Blockheads were right to continue performing after the loss of their charismatic leader, Ian Dury.

Yes, they’re older and slightly more haggard (the boys have enjoyed 30 years of rocking now), but these Blockheads still know how to put on a show. With ace guitarist John Turnbull and Dury’s old friend Derek The Draw sharing vocals throughout, the band stormed through the fabulous back catalogue of hits that fans wanted to hear. ‘Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll’, ‘Clever Trevor’, ‘What A Waste’ - the list is endless, but fans were also treated to fabulously funky recent tracks – ‘Feel The Funk’ and ‘Mona’ giving testament to the Blockheads’ ability to move forward.

Bassist Norman Watt-Roy and keyboardist/guitarist Chaz Jankel remain masters of their art – and with Dylan Howe, Gilad Altzmon and Mick Gallagher giving incredible performances on drums, sax/clarinet and keyboards respectively, the band remains tight and somewhat magical.

Closing a lively and fun performance with the classic ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’ and ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’, the Blockheads were called back for one last number – and what an encore they served up. Fans danced in the aisles and sang loudly to an extended version of ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’. And to the band who give us so many reasons to be just that: ‘Oi Oi!’

Ken Russell in conversation with Humphrey Burton

Think of Ken Russell’s work and the word ‘surreal’ immediately springs to mind. And surreal it certainly was to sit in a tent (albeit a very posh tent) on a wet and windy Sunday morning to hear this directing genius discuss his long career with the writer and broadcaster Humphrey Burton.

The audience quickly fell under the warm spell of these amiable and witty men as they recalled their early collaborations for television. Recounting stories of tight budgets and even tighter restrictions on their art, they told of the many devious ways they found of bypassing both bosses and censors to produce the works that Russell is renowned for.

With his passion for music as a driving force, Ken Russell’s early documentaries about Elgar, Debussy and Prokofiev are still well remembered almost 50 years later. Although not popular with ‘the powers that be’, he rapidly gained the respect of fellow film makers and actors, with Micheal Caine himself suggesting that Ken direct the classic Billion Dollar Brain. The rest, as they say, is history – Russell would go on to direct a long catalogue of brilliant films, including Women In Love and the fabulous Tommy.

Interspersing their amusing repartee with fascinating clips of some of Ken Russell’s work, this was another feather in the cap for the Du Maurier Festival. Roll on next year!