WOLVES and whirling dervishes will be roaming the streets, a rickshaw will be picking up passengers, a floodlit boxing ring will be hosting theatrical bouts and a Belgian clown is going out of his mind – yes, it’s that time of year again – Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) is coming to town.
Incredibly, SIRF is now 23 years old and this year’s programme sees world class performers from the four corners of the globe once again bring the latest in street theatre to Stockton from Wednesday 28 July to Sunday 1 August.
For four and a half days, Stockton will be transformed into a performance area for both spectacular large-scale productions and small, intimate experiences.
Take a stroll along Stockton High Street or pop into Parish Gardens and Trinity Green and you will be treated to theatre, humour, live music, urban dance, circus and breathtaking aerial shows.
One of the highlights at this year’s SIRF will be Electric Hotel, a beautiful after-dark outdoor spectacle, presented by Fuel.
Audiences wear headphones to eavesdrop on the internal spaces of the buildings, watching the residents in their private rooms. Created using massive shipping containers, you will snatch glimpses of the do-not-disturb lives unfolding behind the windows.
Parish Gardens and Stockton High Street will play host to an array of performances so watch out for Buster Keaton inspired antics from Bash Street Theatre, music mayhem from festival favourites, Orkestra Del Sol and aerial acrobatics from Gravity & Levity.
Dance in all its forms will amaze audiences – whether it be contemporary dance from StopGAP, breakdance from Bad Taste Cru or Atempo Circ’s blend of music, dance and contemporary circus.
On Saturday, 31 July the people of Stockton take centre stage at SIRF for the ever popular Community Carnival. Get there early to ensure you get a spot along the route from Stockton High Street to Trinity Green and marvel at the colour, dance, enthusiasm and energy of the 1,000 plus participants.
The theme for this year’s Carnival is the great outdoors and will explore Stockton’s urban and natural environment. Groups and individuals are working preparing and designing costumes and they will parade along with some giant structures. The carnival will end in a stunning final performance at Trinity Green.
Pyrotechnics are at the heart of this year’s finale thanks to Bombs Per Minute from Commandos Percu. For 15 years, the company has travelled across the world with its groundbreaking percussion and fireworks.
At SIRF they will make their home at Trinity Green for an unmissable climax to this year’s festival on Sunday, 1 August.
Councillor Mary Womphrey, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “Stockton International Riverside Festival is one of the highlights of the North East’s cultural calendar and we are proud to bring this unique festival to the streets of Stockton.
“Visitors to SIRF will have their senses stirred and imaginations awakened by the many performances - as we say expect the unexpected!”
Stockton Riverside Fringe Festival will rock the Riverside from 29 July to 1 August. Headliners already announced include The Human League, The Lightning Seeds and Mercury Rev.
