Dawson and Kelly headline Primadonna Festival

Juno Dawson and Erin Kelly are among those headlining this year’s Primadonna Festival, taking place at the Food Museum in Stowmarket from 29th to 31st July. 

The festival was founded in 2019 by the Primadonnas, a group of women working across the arts, including Sandi Toksvig, Kit de Waal, Catherine Mayer and Jude Kelly. 

This year’s festival will see Dawson and Zoe Howe exploring the phenomenon of witchcraft, the power of the witch figure and the legacy of the witch trials on contemporary culture and iconography, while Kelly, author of eight thrillers, will offer insider know-how in "How To Write A Killer Novel". 

Other highlights include musician La Roux (Elly Jackson) in conversation with friend and writer Catherine Mayer in "Been there, done that, messed around" covering her career highlights, life in the paparazzi lens, and the problems of being a figurehead in a world that refuses nuance.  

Author and acclaimed memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink will be in conversation with de Waal, while author and broadcaster Symeon Brown will be hosting a discussion on influencer culture. 

Viv Groskop will record an episode of her award-winning “How To Own The Room” podcast live at the festival and author and features director of Red magazine Natasha Lunn will be leading "Conversations on Love", the title of her recent book and the focus of a panel on alternative happy endings, including divorce. 

Patsy Stevenson, whose face became the defining image of the Sarah Everard vigil in 2021, will also be in discussion with activist and commentator Shola Mos-Shogbamimu on the scandals enveloping the Metropolitan police as well as the growing scrutiny of the monarchy in light of Megxit, Prince Andrew’s conduct and the Queen’s Jubilee year. 

Festival director Catherine Riley said: “We’ve set up some challenging, provocative and hilarious sessions this year which we know will create the buzz and excitement that Primadonna is known for. There are some amazing names on our line-up already, but we’re not finished programming yet. Expect some big announcements in the coming weeks as we bring even more fantastic talent to Suffolk for what we call ‘the world as it should be, for one weekend’. 

“As well as the main programme of talks, interviews and discussions, there will be plenty on offer for adults looking to unwind and get away from it all, with chef demonstrations, live music, late night DJs and pop-up fun including a ’Time Machine Disco’, steam engine rides and wellness therapies of all kinds. 

“We’ll also have an ‘Introducing’ session at the John Peel Centre in town on Friday night featuring the best up-and-coming local bands, and a programme of films running at the Regal as well as tons of stuff for kids, including a ‘Festival of the Girl’ workshop, author readings, films, theatre and crafts,” said Riley.  

“It really is a perfect weekend for getting away from it all: and we also guarantee the best festival toilets around!”