For 17 days each May, the Festival transforms our public spaces, city streets, performance venues, parks, forests and beaches, bringing people together to experience the same brilliant and inspirational events. The flagship arts festival for the East of England, our world-class programme spans music, theatre, literature, visual arts, circus, dance and free outdoor events.
Outdoor Arts Programme (Updated 28 Feb)
Raggle Taggle Arts – Betty Brown Bags
Inspired by a traditional folk play from Lancaster, Betty Brown Bags and her musical side-kick Billy celebrate the strength and resilience of Northern working class culture. This interactive show is a physical theatre piece with a pantomime flair, featuring live music, clog dancing, singing, a synchronised spoon playing routine and is something for all ages! Let Betty and Billy tell you their tale of the evil Sir George and how they need all of YOU to defeat him.
NoFit State Circus – Bamboo
The artists arrive at an empty stage, bringing bundles of bamboo. They build towering sculptures which morph, transform and become an improbable, delicate circus playground that seems to defy the laws of physics. Inhabited by world-class circus artists and acrobats, the structures bend, and flex, adding to the tension, drama, and sense of jeopardy that lies at the heart of great circus. A meaningful, joyful performance with live music, comedy and amazing feats of strength and agility. We celebrate what’s possible when humans and the natural world trust each other and work in harmony.
Mechanimal – Crap at Animals
Crap at Animals does what it says on the tin. One guy tries heroically and fails epically to do impressions of 50,000 rare animals in under an hour. How do you do a Darth Vader Giant Pill Millipede? Have you ever heard of a Miss Kerala Look-a-Like? What kind of animal is a Problematic Flasher???
Come and explore the madness and diversity and beauty of life with wildly playful solo performance artist Tom Bailey. Tom takes audiences on a clowning, physical theatre and VR rollercoaster ride into a bonkers-big world of currently extinct and endangered species.
Bureau of Silly Ideas – Island Storms
Catastrophic coastal erosion has destroyed a once beloved family-run amusement arcade. The survivors are now travelling around the country scratching a living with what they managed to salvage from the wreckage, to offer their fun, action-packed seaside arcade, live on your doorstep! You will be moved by more than emotions as you help this surviving family rebuild their watery empire. Expect circus, wet fun, hilarity and stunts as you enter this magical arcade action world.
Tit for Tat Circus – Now I Am Become d/Deaf (Destroyer of Words)
With physical comedy, eccentric juggling, and absurd acts of balance; Ryan explores his own degenerative hearing loss as a celebratory source of play and invention.Living between hearing society and Deaf Culture, whilst feeling a part of neither, he explores cultural boundary and personal identity through moments of chaos, sincerity, and total nonsense. Immerse yourself in a world where the loudest actions are lost in translation, and the tiniest looks become deafening. A visual spectacle that tears down barriers, celebrates silence, and fires an ear-splitting laugh in the face of frustration – as this clown tears our world of language apart, just to say “hello!”
Variable Matter – World Kiosk
Bringing the world a little bit closer. Picture this: a street kiosk disrupting the fabric of everyday life. An intimate and enchanting digital sound and light installation where communities collide. Sip tea amidst a calming atmosphere, engaging in thought-provoking conversation, encouraging new connections. Enjoy our special edition newspaper and be transported to a place where stories come alive. Connect with the life journeys of what makes people all over the world who they are. We invite you to find out about your global neighbours in a whole new light… From Variable Matter, the artist led collective behind The People’s Kitchen and The Rising Sun, and directed and designed by award-winning artist David Shearing
Jeanefer Jean-Charles – Patois
Patois explores what happens when two unwritten languages meet: the spoken language of patois (French Creole) and the movement language of dance. British-Caribbean choreographer Jeanefer-Jean Charles MBE reawakens the unwritten language of Patois, telling a story of culture, lost languages, longing and belonging.
Freshly Greated – Joyland Snails & Postcards From Yarmouth
A celebration of the people and places of Great Yarmouth.
Dot Howard & Sorrel Muggridge – A Handful of Time
A travelling exhibition of tactile clay artifacts.
