Fuel’s The Roof.
When: 26th September – 12th October 2014
Where: Bournemouth, Dorset
£: Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Some events are free.
What is it?
Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea Festival is celebrating life ‘on the edge’ of the South Coast with two weeks of arts events on the cultural peripheries. In its fourth year, the festival thoughtfully brings together spectacular UK premieres, new commissions and international artists in a mixture of familiar and unusual locations.
Featuring upcoming artists as well as critically acclaimed acts and performances, the Lower Gardens will be brought to life for the opening of the festival by the dancing flames of Carabosse’s Fire Gardens. The Carabosse Company, from France, will be creating an awe-inspiring fire spectacular; combining fire, sound and music to create a beautiful free sensory experience.
Also in the opening weekend, Fuel present their panoramic open air performance, The Roof, in The Waterfront area at Pier Approach. The Roof is a 360 degree panoramic performance under the night sky. Set within the suspended reality of a brutal and unforgiving game, this mix of intimate 3D sound and the hairtrigger movement of free running will transport the audience into the body of a reluctant hero, desperate to stay alive. The Roof takes place in a purpose-built arena designed by Jon Bausor, set designer for the Paralympic opening ceremony. The audience will be standing outside and wearing headphones throughout the performance.
Slightly Fat Features’ Variety Soup.
The opening weekend will also feature a vintage mobile cinema and a great boat race where visitors can build their own boats from recycled materials.
Highlights for the rest of the festival include Shot at Dawn, a World War One courtroom drama, aptly performed in Bournemouth Council Chambers. Shot at Dawn will tell the story of two young men from the Dorsetshire Regiment, on trial for cowardice. Another highlight will be a variety show for the 21st Century with Slightly Fat Features’ Variety Soup. The show promises to be a riotous comedy cabaret for all ages, shapes and sizes.
For the festival finale, the imitable band British Sea Power take their audience on a musical journey, by ferry around the islands of Poole Harbour. The sea-faring adventure ends up on the National Trust’s Brownsea Island, home of the red squirrel and Baden-Powell’s scout camp, to perform alongside the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet.
More info: artsbournemouth.org.uk