Primadonna Festival delights audiences at Food Museum in Stowmarket

Primadonna Festival returned to Stowmarket to delight audiences with a vibrant weekend of books, music, comedy and family fun.

The popular arts festival drew plenty of visitors to the Food Museum and successfully lived up to its mission of creating ‘the world as it should be’ for one weekend.

The family-friendly event featured conversations with authors including Sinéad Gleeson, who discussed her debut novel Hagstone, and music PR Jane Savidge, known for her work with iconic bands like Pulp, Suede, The Verve, and The Cranberries, who shared insights from her latest book Pulp, Britpop and How Fame Can Let You Down.

Bestselling author Kate Mosse CBE also took the stage to speak with the Feminist Book Society about her novel The Ghost Ship and offering the crowds an exclusive preview of her upcoming book, The Map of Bones.

Festival director Alice Hardaker said: "It was an absolute pleasure to lead Primadonna this year. I'd heard great things about the festival's unique atmosphere of warmth, friendship and fun - what a treat to see this play out in the beautiful grounds of the food museum, in the Suffolk sunshine, with entertaining and provoking and enlightening conversations happening all around.

“In an incredibly tough climate, Primadonna thrived once again and was hugely successful, thanks to support from our funders and donors as well as our fantastic audiences, volunteers, artists, stallholders and everyone that contributed to this magical Suffolk gem.

“We're already making big plans for next year - we will see you then.”

Musical performances featured a diverse line up including LadyByrd, GIRLBAND!, Baby Said, Kitty Perrin and Suffolk's own Grace Wells.

The festival also hosted a Drag Night led by multi-award-winning author and comedian Aida H Dee showcasing some of the rising stars from the UK drag scene such as Bi-Curious George and Hugh Mann.

Plans have already begun for next year’s festival at the Food Museum from August 1 to August 3.

Festival founder Jane Dyball said: “It was great to see so many Primadonna regulars alongside some new faces this year.

“Despite the festival calendar being packed last weekend, with loads of competition, the weather smiled on us and the feedback from our attendees and panellists alike has made the total exhaustion worthwhile.”