Perth Festival of the Arts is one of the longest-established independent arts festivals in Scotland and this year maintains its uncommonly diverse programme, again encompassing comedy, classical, international, jazz, opera and folk music, a programme of community involvement, and myriad unique stagings over twelve days. Balancing contemporary arts and long-established tradition, the Festival is central in developing and promoting the city of Perth on the arts stage.
A wide-ranging and exciting programme will be revealed later this month, with tickets on sale from 18th March, but three major shows are on sale already.
Among this year’s headliners is renowned comedian, actor, writer and Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry (30th May, Perth Concert Hall), making his return to stand-up after a decade, and diving into the details of his life with Fred MacAulay before turning it over to the audience for a Q&A session.
For classical music fans, one of the top orchestras from the Asia-Pacific, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (24th May, Perth Concert Hall) will be performing an evening of some of the genre’s best-loved pieces, opening with a brand-new work by Jeffrey Ching, commissioned specially for the Orchestra’s UK tour, then two of the mightiest works from the operatic / ballet repertoire – Bizet’s scintillating Carmen suite and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
Also on sale now is Brass Hits Hollywood, presented by Mike Lovatt’s Brass Pack, featuring songs from much-loved MGM Musicals and Hollywood’s biggest movies, the hand-picked brass orchestra, performing in Perth Concert Hall on 31st May, will also star guest vocalist Anna-Jane Casey who has 40 years’ experience in the West End and beyond.
Festival Director Helen Band said, ‘In May 2025, we’ll celebrate the 53rd Perth Festival of the Arts, bringing artists and audiences from across the country and beyond to our city for an arts-packed 11 days. The Festival showcases Perth’s vibrant cultural offering, impressive venues and new talent, as well as bringing internationally renowned artists to Scotland. Audiences can expect to see a wide range of artistic events on offer, including award-winning productions, thrilling concerts and new multi-arts experiences.’
Tickets will be available to Festival Friends from 18th March, with the full programme going on sale 25th March.
Images courtesy Perth Festival of the Arts.
