Commencing on Thursday 4 August with a unique launch show from Furious Folly, to be held at Preston Park Museum and Grounds, this year’s SIRF promises to be one of the most exciting and engaging festivals to date.
Friday 5 August (3pm to 3.30pm and 8pm to 8.30pm) will see Project_Vee, performed by Circus Geeks X PanGottic, dazzle crowds on Stockton High Street as juggling meets roulette wheel on a 3 metre high spinning structure with danger, skill and unpredictable moments. Project_Vee will also perform on Saturday 6 August (3.45pm to 4.15pm and 8pm to 8.30pm).
Saturday 6 August brings Encontros, performed by Lusco E Fusco, to the plinth area on Stockton High Street (1.15pm to 1.45pm, 4.15pm to 4.45pm and7.15pm to 7.45pm). Combining physical theatre, dance and contemporary circus, Encontros explores the relationship between two characters exposing emotions ranging from true kindness to the fear of extreme evil.
SIE7E is a theatre on wheels where audiences can enjoy ten minutes of surprising comedy sketches based on everyday objects that come alive and tell their own stories. The show, performed by ymedioteatro, is based on Stockton High Street and can be seen between 1pm and 3pm and 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 6 August.
SIRF’s fantastic finale is preceded by an exhilarating day of performances including Chipolatino! 2016. The Chipolatas bring an exciting mix of circus, comedy and music with a Spanish twist to the plinth on Stockton High Street. Audiences will be left thrilled by beatboxing, ballads, fun and laughter throughout this unique storytelling performance (12pm to 12.45pm and 7.30pm to 8.15pm).
Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “I am so thrilled that there are so many world class acts coming right here on our doorstep to Stockton. I’m sure that they’ll bring joy to a huge number of people, both residents of Stockton Borough and visitors from outside of the area.
“The variety of the performances means that no two days at SIRF are the same and there’ll be something to enjoy whatever your tastes and whether you are a seasoned visitor to the festival or joining us for the first time. Don’t forget that on Saturday we also have our annual Community Carnival starting on the High Street from 12noon – it is the largest in the Tees Valley and is always a spectacular and colourful sight. I’d encourage everyone to come down to Stockton and enjoy a brilliant weekend full of thrills, fun and laughter as part of this wonderful event that showcases our Borough at its vibrant best.”
For more information and to view the full SIRF programme including listings, visit www.sirf.co.uk