AstleyFest is a brand spanking new festival that gives thousands of people the chance to enjoy a free and fabulous fun day out as we bring Astley’s astounding life to life in Lyme Valley Park. AstleyFest will include circus performances, horse shows, military displays, hands-on activities, and much more. There will be a tasty range of food stalls and stacks of fun ways to find out more about the man and myth of Philip Astley – Father of the modern circus. See here for further details www.philipastley.org.uk.
online programmeor download the to your phone or desktop
The Philip Astley Project is managed by Staffordshire University on behalf of a steering group of local arts, heritage, statutory and educational institutions. The programme is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. Appetite and PH Productions are working with The Philip Astley Project as event managers.
The outline of the AstleyFest programme is below:
Thingamabob – PanGottic Circus–Theatre
With an internationally renowned blend of circus, invention and humour, PanGottic brings to life a giant ball slinging, self-exploding piece of handcrafted gadgetry, inspired by the famous Rube Goldberg machines and Heath Robinson contraptions. Be part of the mayhem as our intrepid inventor risks nerve wracking failure to bring you one perfect chain reaction… with some help from his little assistant.
Van Buren’s Magic of Astley
Andrew Van Buren & Allyson portray Lord George Sanger & Ellen the last proprietors of Philip Astley’s Amphitheatre. Bringing to life the legacy of Astley through their mutual love of magic this show tells the tale of Philip Astley through the eyes of the Victorian Showman. With Magic, Mystery & Prestidigitation, this is a show for all the family.
The Jesters by Acrojou
The Jesters is an interactive, ‘mix and mingle’ walkabout act in beautiful, extremely high quality, antique-style Jesters costumes. The Jesters are available with a range of skills including power-skips (sprung stilts), acrobatic tumbling, ‘acro-juggling’ (tumbling and juggling combined) and hula hoop.
Astley Inspired Workshops and activities
Throughout the day there will be a number of fun and exciting activities and workshops taking place in our Astley Activity Circle. Some activities include:
Throughout the day there will be a number of fun and exciting activities and workshops taking place in our Astley Activity Circle. Some activities include:
- Diablo
- Hula Hoops
- Juggling
- Plate Spinning
- Face painting
- Banner Design
- Make a Carousel Animal
- Astley Treasure Hunt
Leopolds Equestrian Productions
Leopolds Equestrian Productions bring 3 exquisite equine displays to entertain the crowds. These include: everyone’s favourite, Miniature Shetland Liberty Display which involves four cheeky Miniature Shetlands who like to show off how clever they are with all of their favourite tricks; Big and Little Display which is a horse and pony working together which certainly has the aww factor; and finally, Harley – The Educated Pony who can say yes and no, count, add up and much more.
Find Leopolds Equestrian Productions on Facebook and Instagram under Leopolds Equestrian.
Coldstream Guards 1815 and 5/60th Rifles
To celebrate Astley’s military life, the Coldstream Guards 1815 and 5/60th Rifles bring to life what it was like to be a soldier in the same period as Astley.
The Coldstream Guards is a Napoleonic re-enactment group, that seek to portray Number 6 Company, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards as it would have been at the time of the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Meet the soldiers, visit their living history encampment, watch the soldiers drills and firing demonstrations and even learn a drill in a children drill session.
Featuring:
- A period Military encampment, giving people a Living History perspective about how soldiers, their wives and children lived during battles. Come and engage with the soldiers and see what they get up to off the battlefield.
- Soldiers drill and firing demonstrations, showing the soldiers uniforms, equipment and firing demonstrations of the Brown Bess Musket.
- Children’s drill sessions, where they are taught a bit of period drill and learn how soldiers fought in massed ranks during the period, combined with a photo opportunity
- Soldiers will be dotted about the event
The Stilt Ringmaster by Artizani
Towering above the public, the stilt walking Ringmaster is a larger than life character who brings colour and spectacle to AstleyFest with his fabulous costume and quick witted banter.
This is a walkabout act but you’ll be unlikely to miss him!
Astley’s Astounding Adventures Cast
Characters from the New Vic’s world premiere production of Astley’s Astounding Adventures will be out and about at AstleyFest. You may even meet Philip Astley himslef! These entertaining characters will be wandering about so keep a look out!
Astley’s Astounding Adventures is the New Vic’s most ambitious show ever. Filled with fast-paced action, humour, gripping drama and breathtaking circus spectacle, it tells the story of our town’s hero who became the international impresario who invented circus…and conquered the world!
Circus Sensible
Circus Sensible is a fun feel-good comedy circus show where some very super talented yet silly performers present a fabulously funny show featuring, juggling, magic, clowning and more.
Roll Up Roll Up
Written by Katharine Boon
Directed by Ruth Carney
Roll Up, Roll Up is a heart-warming story inspired by Philip Astley about following your dreams and believing in yourself. Performed by a community company and choir, this fun, vibrant play will take families of all ages on a journey to celebrate the wonder of circus with laughter, song and characters that you’ll fall in love with!
Tickets FREE, but booking required – call New Vic Box Office on 01782 717962.
For more information please visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/roll-up-roll-up
Roll Up Roll Up is part of The Philip Astley Project’s Astleyfest in Lyme Valley Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
