A PRODUCTION of Romeo and Juliet may hold the key to turning around Ludlow Festival’s woes.

The annual Ludlow Festival recently announced a £17,000 shotfall from this year’s event, although that was a marked improvement on 12 months ago when £42,000 was the deficit following the summer storms.

Ticket sales for this year’s co-production of Richard III did not reach the projected 75%, leaving organisers the task of trying to transform its fortunes for next year, which is the festival’s 50th anniversary.

“There are always lessons to be learned and we are confident we will be able to make further cuts in the production and running costs for 2009, plus the choice of a very popular Shakespeare play should also help us achieve our goals,” said festival chairman Jenny Vaughan.

“For the 50th celebration, we plan to stage a co-production of Romeo and Juliet with the Northcott Theatre Company in Exeter and as this was last performed in Ludlow in 1986, it should prove to be a popular choice.

“We also plan to join forces with local organisations to enhance the festival programme of events and we are working on some interesting projects for children who attend our local schools.”

She believes Ludlow and the surrounding area benefits greatly from the festival, adding the local economy would suffer if it was not there.

“We’re really looking for funding and sponsorship for next year,” said Mrs Vaughan.

“It is very hard to visualise Ludlow without its ‘arts festival’. The festival directors are fighting hard to continue into its 50th season and onwards, but we do need everyone’s support.”

The 2009 festival will take place from June 20 to July 5, culminating on the final evening with a firework display at Ludlow Castle and performances from the Swinging Blue Jeans, Marty Wilde and The Wild Cats, and the Alan Price Band.

Anyone wishing to fund or sponsor the event should write to the chairman at the festival office, Castle Square, Ludlow, SY8 1AY.