Mark Rylance blasts Labour council over star-studded festivals that campaigners say are turning loved local park into 'a prison camp'

Daily Mail​

23-04-2025

Sir Mark Rylance has blasted a Labour council over star-studded festivals that protesters have said are turning a loved London park into a 'prison camp'.
Brockwell Park in Lambeth, south London has hosted a festival series called Brockwell Live from late May to early June which features a diverse lineup of events, cultural celebrations, and community activities.
However campaigners have hit out at the festival for the damage it is causing to the 125-acre park and its wildlife.
They have also taken the step to legally challenge the council's decision to go ahead with the festivals without planning permission.
Among the protesters, includes BAFTA winning actor, Sir Mark Rylance, a local resident, who has called on the authority to reconsider its support for the events.
He said the park is a place for 'people and nature' which is 'essential' to the public's mental health, the Times reports.
He said the park was a 'gift' to the community but the installation of walls for the summer 'destroys the park for weeks and harms the grass, trees and plant life for months — if not for ever. It turns it into a prison camp.
'I fully support this campaign to legally challenge our Lambeth governors and make a new arrangement for our park. Enough is enough. Stop the walls.'
Campaigners argue that the festival closes off large parts of the park for weeks during the spring and summer and that this means that the area is 'irreversibly harmed' by crowds.
The grass was turned muddy after last year's festivals, and it took months for it to recover, with a council's report laying bare that it the work of ground reinstallation was not done until November.
Campaigners have now launched a legal challenge to the council's decision, with a crowdjustice page raising over £31,000.
The park commands views of the skyline of the city and central London and sees around four million visitors.
The Academy award-winning actor is not the first star to hit out at the festival for its impact on the area.
Actress Adjoa Andoh has previously shared in an Instagram post: 'Brockwell Park last summer after yet another festival.
'This public park was created for the free enjoyment of all Lambeth residents.
'I know we're a poor borough, but Shame on Lambeth Council for not protecting it better!
'Our wildlife ,our ancient tree,es have been decimated, our residents without a free green space. I am supporting a campaign to preserve our park for everyone!'
Lambeth told the Times it invested £500,000 a year in maintaining the park adding that the vents run for a 'short period before the summer'.
It said this provides 'cultural opportunities' and entertainment for younger people.
It added: 'Events also support businesses in the area, boosting our local economy and providing jobs and income for residents.'
It claimed that an independent assessment found there was 'no ecological damage caused' to the park and that income from events is being invested into diversity projects in other areas of the park.