Festival to focus on the arts and culture of New Zealand

The central focus of this year's event is New Zealand with many of the acts reflecting the country's Maori culture and its fusion with European and contemporary Pacific island traditions.

Speaking at the launch of the festival programme on Monday night at Salisbury Arts Centre, Festival director Toby Smith, said: “Our 2016 programme, a truly global journey bringing the world to Salisbury and showing off our beautiful city to the world.”

Festival organisers are working with 25 venues, including Salisbury Arts Centre, Playhouse and City Hall to put on the 16-day event, which runs from May 27 to June 11.

The festival will launch with the Whakatuwhera opening ceremony at the Cathedral's west lawn, within a ring of fire and drawing upon the Māori traditions of New Zealand.

Well-known actors, directors, politicians, comedians and authors will be feature in the festival line-up, including Mary Portas, Richard E Grant, Michael Morpurgo, Romesh Ranganathan, Ben Miller, Peter Kosminsky, Sir Vince Cable and John Culshaw to name a few.

The festival will be showcasing not only a variety of acts from New Zealand but from around the world and the UK. Classical music, jazz, opera, theatre, literature, circus acts make up the festival programme.

Rob Taylor, the deputy commissioner of the New Zealand High Commission, who spoke at the programme launch, said: “New Zealand warmly welcomes the opportunity to be associated with this prestigious event and in particular to showcase such a wide diversity of New Zealand artistic and creative talent. Music, literature, visual arts, design, architecture, and performing arts are, and have been central to New Zealand’s identity."

The Maori myth and legend of Hinemoa and Tutanekai is brought to life by the Corey Baker Dance in Kapa Haka Tale at Salisbury Playhouse on June 7. People of all ages can learn how to do the haka with the dance group as part of the A Massed Haka workshop.

There will be classical music offerings from Benjamin Baker, Jonathan Lemalu and James Baillieu, New Zealand String Quartet, Modern Maori Quartet and Philharmonica Orchestra and jazz from the Hot Sardines, and Courtney Pine featuring Zoe Rahman. Folk music from Lau and musician John Grant who has collaborated with the likes of Sinead O'Connor, Goldfrapp and Elton John.

And sports fans will be pleased to hear that New Zealand's rugby roots are not forgotten. Former England rugby union captain will be in conversation with the Telegraph's Matthew Stadlen to talk about his life and career on May 30.

Live Wire Theatre present Hands Up for Jonny Wilkinson's Right Boot at The Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse, June 9.

Film fans can enjoy an epic journey with Frodo in a triple bill screening of The Lord of the Rings films, which was filmed in New Zealand. June 4 It will be introduced by Ian Brodie, author of the Middle Earth Landscapes and The Lord of the Rings location Guide, and Richard Sharkey, who was the location production manager on the films.

Another film offering with be Whale Rider which is introduced by author Witi Ihimaera.

There will be energetic action from circus acts Vaiven Circo in Do Not Disturb and Tipping Point, which is the new full-length show from leading British circus company Ockham's Razor.

Ockham's Razor: Tipping Point Picture by Nik Mackey

Acclaimed director Peter Kosminsky will be talking about the making of the BBC drama Wolf Hall on May 31, based on the award-winning novel by Hilary Mantel.

City Encounters will return with free street theatre, dance, circus, music and family activities on Sunday 29 and Monday 30, 11am-6pm in the Guildhall Square, Market Place and other city centre locations. Performers include Highly Sprung: Urban Astronaut who will be suspended 20ft in the air.

Plenty of family events are also included such as New Zealand's Trick of Light Theatre Beards! Beards! Beards!

Tickets go on sale on Saturday and are available by calling 0845241 9651. For full listings of the events go to salisburyfestival.co.uk