With an eclectic mix of music, art, comedy, poetry, dance and drama featuring stars ranging from comedy legend Jasper Carrot to chart-topping singer songwriter Leo Sayer, this year's Holt Festival promises to mark its tenth anniversary in style.

Norwich Evening News: Holt Festival artistic director Stash KirkbridePhoto: SONYA DUNCANHolt Festival artistic director Stash KirkbridePhoto: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: Archant)

The week-long event, which kicks off on Sunday with a performance at the Auden Theatre by pianist Lucy Parham with narration by Victoria star Alex Jennings, also includes appearances by ex-Liberal Democrat leader Lord Paddy Ashdown and former Labour home secretary Alan Johnson; a cabaret show by Australian comedy star Pamela Shaw; a one-woman show based on the works of playwright Steven Berkoff by former EastEnders actress Linda Marlowe and a performance by the Tom Baxter Band, whose songs have been covered by stars ranging from Take That and Boyzone, to Shirley Bassey.

Fringe events include a sing-along screening of the hit film Mamma Mia, a children's art tent, and lunchtime concerts at town venues ranging from the library and community centre, to St Andrew's Church.

Norwich Evening News: Jasper Carrott and his band, who will be closing this year's Holt Festival with a comedy and music show at the Theatre in the Woods.Photo: submittedJasper Carrott and his band, who will be closing this year's Holt Festival with a comedy and music show at the Theatre in the Woods.Photo: submitted (Image: Archant)

Arts professional Stash Kirkbride, who was invited to take on the job of artistic director for the festival's anniversary year, said the programme aimed to build on previous successes.

'We are proud of what we have achieved and we wanted to offer something special as we were very aware that for an arts festival to reach its 10th anniversary is pretty significant,' he explained.

Norwich Evening News: Singer-songwriter Tom Baxter who will be appearing with his band at Holt FestivalPhoto: TOM BAXTERSinger-songwriter Tom Baxter who will be appearing with his band at Holt FestivalPhoto: TOM BAXTER (Image: Archant)

'From Jasper Carrot, through to lesser-known but equally talented people, we wanted to have things that people wouldn't have seen anywhere else and that they would remember in five years' time, and one of the things I'm most proud of is that I think we have achieved that.'

Mr Kirkbride, who trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before carving a career as an actor, writer and broadcaster, is also founder and artistic director of Norwich Cathedral's annual Hostry arts festival.

Norwich Evening News: Lib Dem legend Lord Paddy Ashdown, who will be speaking about his long and varied career at this year's Holt FestivalPhoto: submittedLib Dem legend Lord Paddy Ashdown, who will be speaking about his long and varied career at this year's Holt FestivalPhoto: submitted (Image: Archant)

He added that his personal highlight was the Tom Baxter Band, whom he first saw in Cambridge eight years ago.

'I was just blown away,' he said. 'But there are so many other things happening, the festival is somewhere you can see something different every day for seven days, it's not at all exclusive and it can pride itself on being an open-minded and welcoming event.'

Norwich Evening News: Doctor-turned-tenor James Gilchrist, who will be appearing at Holt FestivalPhoto: submittedDoctor-turned-tenor James Gilchrist, who will be appearing at Holt FestivalPhoto: submitted (Image: Archant)

Holt Festival runs from Sunday until July 29. For a full programme, visit www.holtfestival.org

Norwich Evening News: Two pianos: Gloria Campaner and Leszek Mozdzer, who will be appearing at this year's Holt Festival Photo: MACIEJ GAJDATwo pianos: Gloria Campaner and Leszek Mozdzer, who will be appearing at this year's Holt Festival Photo: MACIEJ GAJDA (Image: artem3)

Norwich Evening News: Colin Cloud, who will be bringing his Psycho(Logical) show to Holt FestivalPhoto: submittedColin Cloud, who will be bringing his Psycho(Logical) show to Holt FestivalPhoto: submitted (Image: Archant)

Norwich Evening News: Holt Festival artistic director Stash Kirkbride Photo: SONYA DUNCANHolt Festival artistic director Stash Kirkbride Photo: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: Archant)