SOME of the leading exponents of British folk music will be lining up together later this month to appear on stage at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Hugely popular singer-songwriter Kate Rusby will be heading the cream of British folk musicians who will form her band for this one-off concert on Sunday, August 2 (7.30pm).

For this special performance she will be joined on stage by a string ensemble to perform exciting new arrangements of classics from her back catalogue stretching over her two decades of music making, along with tracks from her last studio album, Ghost.

Inhabiting a lyric with unforced conviction – no matter how old or how modern – Kate has that rare ability to transport her audience, to touch them emotionally and make each tune live vividly within their experience and imagination.

The cross-over appeal Kate enjoys is unprecedented for a folk singer and has been achieved without resort to compromise. Her wondrous singing and hugely engaging Yorkshire wit, and the intuitive support of the band, ensure that audiences will be treated to a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Following fairly hard on Kate’s heels will be the internationally acclaimed Canadian-born singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

He’ll be performing live at the RSC in Stratford on Sunday, July 12, which will be one of a select number of solo UK dates this summer.

 Praised by the New York Times for his ‘genuine originality’, Rufus has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation.

At the age of 14 he was awarded Canada’s best young musician and later received the Juno Award for Best Alternative Album.

He has released seven studio albums, three DVDs, and three live albums.

His live album, Rufus does Judy and recorded at Carnegie Hall in 2006, was nominated for a Grammy.

Rufus has collaborated with artists including, most recently, Robbie Williams, co-writing and dueting on the title track of his Swing Both Ways album.  He has also worked with the Pet Shop Boys, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, David Byrne, Joni Mitchell, Robert Wilson, Lou Reed, Boy George and Mark Ronson.