Latitude is a multi-disciplinary music and arts festival based in Suffolk that runs from the 15^th to the 18^th of July. Now in its fifth year, it’s fast becoming the destination to see one-off performances from across the globe. We speak to some of Latitude’s finest on what to expect this year...

Pippa Hill is the Royal Shakespeare Company's Literary Manager. The RSC will be performing in the Theatre Arena this year...

LATITUDES PAST

We’ve performed the last two years at Latitude.  For the first year Anthony Neilson, our literary associate, worked with composer Nick Powell on a show called Living the Big Lie. Two actors in white tights did a Shakespearian reading – of a 1986 section from an EastEnders script, followed by the invasion of a gaggle of zombies.

Last year we did a show called Here lies Mary Spindler in which we set up a fake archaeological dig claiming we’d found the bones of witches. The show was about an archaeologist possessed by a very famous witch hunter.

THIS YEAR WATCH OUT FOR...

Every year we commission a new piece just for Latitude and it’s very exciting to work with such a short time frame, because normally our plays take years. The venue is incredible with around 600 seats - we had about 1,000 people at our midnight performance last year.

Our project this year is still in development. The brilliant Carl Grose is writing and we have the tantalizing beginnings of an idea, but until we get into the workshop who knows, anything could happen.

This year you can expect a wobbly mirror look at The RSC. We like to poke fun at ourselves.

Tania Harrison is the Arts and Special Events promoter at Festival Republic, the company behind Leeds, Reading, Glastonbury and Latitude...

LATITUDES PAST

I have so many amazing memories, every festival is special but here are a few of my favourites:

The performance artist Lucifire suspended from a tree by meat hooks.

The RSC’s zombies roaming around as Anthony Nielson’s voice boomed through a megaphone: “Please do not touch the zombies.”

Patti Smith performing in the poetry arena last year, Mark Lamarr putting on Alabama 3 in 2007, Adam Hills riding a big pink poodle last year in the comedy arena:

THIS YEAR WATCH OUT FOR...

I’m excited that we’ve got Daniel Kitson, he’s going to do midnight shows with Gavin Osborn on the waterfront. I’m a massive fan.

The Royal Opera House will be amazing; Will Tuckett is such a talented artist and director. Saddler’s Wells are bringing some very contemporary ballet, which will be fun.

On the waterfront, Derevo theatre from Germany and Russia will be mind-blowing, it’s avant-garde physical theatre and performance art at its best.

I love the poetry, and I’m really excited about seeing Wendy Cope. Everyone knows a bit of Wendy Cope.

I’m also looking forward to John Cooper Clarke, Luke Wright and Laura Dockrill’s Word Orchestra. Another one to watch is the Riz MC show, a combination of spoken word with theatre and music. I can’t wait for Les Enfants Terrible’s brand new musical as I’ve heard three songs already and they’re beautiful.

Poet Laura Dockrill has been performing at Latitude since 2007. Her third book Echoes is out this year...

LATITUDES PAST

My first gig at Latitude was the second ever poetry gig I’d done. I performed for five minutes as a New Voice and ran over by one minute - everyone was annoyed with me. I thought “I can never do this again, everything’s ruined”, but of course I was back the next year.

As my career’s progressed I have progressed up the bill. Last year I was headlining and it was really emotional. I did eight gigs in total that weekend.

It’s an amazing festival and I love working with (organiser) Tania Harrison. She’s so imaginative and brave and it’s people like her who will make festivals truly inspiring places to see the best art, which is surely what they should be.

THIS YEAR WATCH OUT FOR...

This year I’ll be performing Word Orchestra. It’s a female cast of seven and it’s about bringing my poems to life and making poetry more accessible. I’ve written and directed all the work and we’re in rehearsals at the moment (Those of you who know Laura’s work will be thrilled to discover that the orchestra’s performing the wonderful Sneaky Turnip, amongst others).

We first launched the Word Orchestra in July in the Queen Elizabeth Hall London and sold out to 900 people but we haven’t done anything since then, so the production for Latitude will be completely new. We’re headlining on the Saturday night at 12pm on the poetry stage.

It’s going to be a bit Diana Ross and The Supremes. I’m Diana without the afro.

Part 2 with poet Luke Wright and the Bush theatre

Tickets, line-up and more