Festival-goers with a penchant for delightfully peculiar book-worming shenanigans are sure to have their thirsts whetted as Hendrick’s Gin invests in a major sponsorship of the Brighton Festival Fringe’s literature programme. The most unusual gin will be bringing a ready-made venue – the much loved Hendrick’s Horseless Carriage of Curiosities – to Brighton from Friday 20th – Monday 30th May.
This year Brighton Festival Fringe celebrates its fifth birthday, having grown into the world’s third largest Fringe festival. As an open access arts festival it aims to showcase the very best creative talent from Brighton and beyond. To support this ethos, Hendrick’s has enlisted the services of their very own makar to curate a programme of events aboard the converted 19th century rail carriage – Damian Barr. An exiled Scot, literary salonnière, resident of Brighton and one of the Fringe’s Trustees, Damian is inviting artist groups to propose their own literary themed events that can be hosted at the venue. From literature salons with leading authors conducting readings to an ‘Authors’ Den’ for budding novelists to pitch their book ideas and literary-inspired dining experiences from gastronomic architects Bompas & Parr to ‘Gin in Literature’ tastings, the Hendrick’s Horseless Carriage is sure to amaze, entertain and bewilder in equal measure.
Commenting upon the five figure sponsorship, Riana Gallagher, Brand Manager for HENDRICK’S GIN, said: “We have been involved in a number of literary festivals and events over the years, but our investment in the Brighton Festival Fringe has been our biggest commitment to date. I’ve always been struck by vibrant bar scene and welcoming nature of the city, so I’m sure the people of Brighton are going to find the wonderful oddities of the carriage and the programme of events we have lined up highly entertaining”.
