Lorient Festival - Celtic Odyssey (Featuring Bec Applebee)

www.becapplebee.com/
www.festival-interceltique.bzh/
Biography of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient:
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient is an annual event held in Lorient, a Celtic land. It attracts around 700,000 people from around the world who come to enjoy Celtic music from regions like Galicia, Cornwall and Scotland in a friendly atmosphere. This festival has a rich history since its inception in 1971, with a focus on Celtic sounds, including bombards and bagads. Over 200 events and shows featuring 5,000 performers are part of the festival, which is deeply rooted in Celtic culture and supported by both tourists and locals.
In 2024, the festival will also celebrate Acadian culture, showcasing over 40 Acadian artists to highlight the vitality and creativity of their culture. The history of Acadia is intertwined with the festival, as it emerged from a French settlement and faced political turmoil and expulsion by the British in 1755. Despite these challenges, modern-day Acadia is a thriving community that has preserved its language, culture, and traditions. Music plays a significant role in Acadian society, and the festival will feature a diverse range of Acadian musical performances.
The next Festival Interceltique de Lorient will take place August 12 to 18, 2024.
Biography of featured artist, Bec Applebee:
Bec Applebee, a versatile and accomplished artist, hails from Cornwall, where her artistic journey began. Born and raised amidst the natural beauty of Cornwall, Bec's passion for the arts was ignited early in life. She embarked on a path that would lead her to become a prominent figure in the world of theatre, music, and storytelling.
Her educational journey took her to Liverpool, where she attended college and honed her skills in the performing arts. Bec's career spans over three decades, primarily as a dedicated actor. Her journey into the world of acting was marked by unwavering commitment and a deep love for the stage. But Bec's talents extended beyond acting, and she soon embraced roles as a Theatre Director, Workshop Leader, and Producer. Her work was characterized by a great interest in physical theatre and storytelling. She excelled in collaborating with ensembles, championing gender equality in the workplace, and assembling dynamic and engaging teams.
However, Bec's artistic repertoire extends even further. She is a gifted Traditional Cornish folk musician and singer, boasting more than 25 years of experience.
In her early days as an artist, Bec founded the Bedlam Theatre cooperative, a group dedicated to creating accessible family shows across Cornwall. Their productions incorporated elements such as song, shadow play, and acrobatics to captivate audiences of all ages.
A defining chapter in Bec's career came as a core member of Kneehigh Theatre, where she collaborated closely with Artistic Directors Mike Shepherd, Bill Mitchell, and Emma Rice. Kneehigh's innovative approach to theatre demanded versatility and creativity. Bec and her colleagues embraced devising, ensemble work, and physical training, using music, song, poetry, and scripts to craft captivating shows with storytelling at their core.
Throughout her career, Bec Applebee's talents have taken her around the globe. She has performed in various countries, from the United States and Malta to China, Syria, Cyprus, and throughout Europe. Notably, she has worked with local communities in diverse settings, from a deserted taverna on the Green Line in Cyprus to school halls in the townships of Soweto, South Africa.
Bec also played a pivotal role in the inception of Wildworks Theatre, specializing in site-specific theatre. Her work has not only taken place on traditional stages but has also extended to unconventional settings, where she has created immersive and unforgettable experiences for audiences.
Bec's artistry is not confined to group endeavors; she has also taken the spotlight as a solo performer in productions such as 'Oh Mary!', a story about Fowey resident Mary Bryant. Additionally, she has been part of the multinational ensemble known as The Tosta Banda, gracing stages from the National Theatre to school halls in Soweto.
In 2005, Bec's life took a new direction when she became a mother. This transformative experience led her to shift her focus from extensive international touring to producing and creating her work more locally in Cornwall and the South West region. Under the banner of "Bec Applebee Presents," she continued to weave her storytelling magic and share her musical talents with her community.
As a dedicated singer and musician, Bec has been an integral part of the resurgence of traditional Cornish music and dance. Her collaborations with bands like Dalla, Didjan, and Skillywidden have spanned more than two decades. In recent years, she has represented Cornwall as a Kernewek singer with the Tosta Banda during Donostia - St. Sebastian's City of Culture celebration in 2016.