Brighton Festival was absolutely delighted to announce the legendary stage, screen and television actress and doyenne of the performing arts, Vanessa Redgrave, as Guest Director of Brighton Festival 2012.  Her appointment at the festival has been dubbed a ‘feather in the cap’ for Brighton.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Festival said, ‘Brighton Festival goes from strength to strength and revealing our guest director is now one of the most anticipated aspects of our internationally acclaimed festival.  It is therefore very exciting for us to now be in the hands of one of our most renowned and respected British actors, Vanessa Redgrave.  It’s a privilege to have such a great ambassador of the performing arts at the helm of Brighton Festival and to explore many of her passions and interests across our three week programme.’

Clare Rogers, a member of the commissioning circle at the Brighton Festival said the appointment was fantastic news, ‘Vanessa Redgrave is a major international star.  It’s a great coup for the Brighton Festival and I’m sure she will prove a great success.  I can’t wait to see what she has planned for us.’

Vanessa Redgrave has had an extraordinary career which has been marked by numerous stage and screen accolades.  Last month she was saluted by fellow stars of screen and stage as she received a tribute from the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences.

The full programme of events and the theme of the Brighton Festival will be announced at the exclusive Festival preview launch in February.