The Big Feast is Back!
We’re bringing the delicious mix of FREE* performance, music and dance back to the streets of the city centre (Hanley). Come along on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August from 11am to 5pm and dig in! To see the map and full schedule including access for both days, take a look at the brochure.
General information about the event can be found in Easy Read format available here in Word or PDF.
Listen to the Audio Guide for The Big Feast below:
Watch our BSL interpreted introduction to The Big Feast below:
PERFORMANCES
Friday 25 August
Teabreak by Trigger
Follow the journey of tea across continents and centuries, onto our shores and into our teapots with a transportive audio piece and Kathak dance performance.
There will be a captioned film that’s available via QR code at the show or through an iPad that the performer provides.
Crown Bank | AD and BSL interpreted performance at 11am – 11.40am & 4pm – 4.40pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Teabreak below:
Falconry Dismay by Dizzy O’Dare
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey and their expert handler.
Outside Halifax | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 12pm – 12.30pm & 2.45pm – 3.15pm
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Eau de Memoir by Miss High Leg Kick | Explore the rich experiences and memories evoked by smells in a show that celebrates our oldest sense. Artists will present live ‘perfumances’ with smell-along fragrances bringing memories of places and times to life.
Fountain Square Stage | Touch Tours at 12.15pm – 12.30pm & 3pm – 3.15pm (Audio Described) | AD and BSL interpreted performance at 12.30pm – 1.10pm | AD performance at 3.15pm – 3.55pm
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Mughal Minatures by Sonia Sabri
A fun and upbeat outdoor performance event for all the family, which celebrates and takes inspiration from the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.
Fountain Square | Audio Described performances at 2.20pm – 2.40pm & 4.40pm – 5pm
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Big Gay Disco Bike by Fatts Project
A feel-good, pop-up, big, gay disco performed with a bike!
Piccadilly Stage | Performances at 12pm – 12.30pm & 3.30pm – 4pm
Fountain Square Stage | Performance at 1.50pm – 2.20pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Big Gay Disco Bike below:
Hippochondriac by Thingumajig Theatre
Part animal and part mechanical, Hieronymus the hippo is feeling under the weather. Fortunately, his companion doctor/mechanic is only too eager to show you what’s under the bonnet to diagnose the problem. What follows is an array of puppet shows built into the troubled creature revealing the origin of his malaise.
Piccadilly | Performances at 11am – 11.40am, 1.45pm – 2.25pm & 4.15pm – 4.55pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Hippochondriac below:
Ear Trumpet by Gobbledegook
Ear Trumpet is about listening. It’s about the sound under the ground. The noises that you would miss if you didn’t listen for them. A team of sonic investigators have managed to track an exceptional auditory occurrence, which they have discovered, runs under the ground. Eons worth of sound, both ancient and modern, is harmonically bound together, trapped inside our ancient rocks. Occasionally these sounds bubble up and erupt to the surface.
Outside Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | Performances at 11am – 1pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Ear Trumpet below:
Circus Flavours presented by Upswing and New Vic Theatre
Have you ever dreamt of joining the circus? Now you can! Watch daring acts performed by some of the UK’s most talented circus artists.
Bethesda Gardens | AD performance at 4.15pm – 4.35pm
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Piccadilly Stage – Friday
Local and Live by Kwanzaa Collective UK*| 11am – 12.30pm
After its success at this year’s Six Towns Carnival, Local and Live returns for The Big Feast. Join us between 11-12.30 for 90 minutes of pure joy.
Potteries Poet by Nick Degg | 12.45 – 1.15pm
Nick Degg is a published Potteries poet who performs all over the UK. He takes his subject matter from the mundanity of everyday life, but sprinkles it with love, compassion and big dollops of humour. He may even perform a poem without any words. The question is … will you hear it?
Supersonic Kids Gig by Capsule | AD & BSL 2 – 3.30pm
Big sounds for little people. And introduction to live experimental music.
PIPTV by Portland Inn Project |BSL 3.45 – 5pm
A brand-new Neighbourhood TV Show written by and starring residents from the Portland Street community.
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Saturday 26 August
Falconry Dismay by Dizzy O’Dare
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey and their expert handler.
Outside Halifax | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 11.30am – 12pm & 1.30pm – 2pm
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UNBOXED by Linden Dance Company
UNBOXED is an explosive outdoor duet in which the dancers set themselves in opposition to two giant wooden cubes in a physical representation of their battle with prejudice and judgment.
Fountain Square Stage | AD performance at 12.30pm – 1pm
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Timeless by Joli Vyann
Joli Vyann use their unique dare devil style of dance, circus and theatre on a 7m-high rotating hourglass, to tell the poignant story of our relationship with climate change.
Outside Potteries Museum and Art Gallery | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 1pm – 1.30pm & 3.30pm – 4pm
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Katumba
A melting pot of UK club music and the carnivals of Northeast Brazil–Katumba Drumming & Movement create an explosion of rhythmic revelry described by onlookers as ‘hypnotic’, ‘transfixing’ and ‘empowering’, with Brazilian drums, spectacular choreography and a colossal sound setting streets and stages ablaze!
Blue Clock | Performance at 1pm – 1.30pm Fountain Square Stage | Performance at 3.25pm – 3.55pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Katumba below:
Ear Trumpet by Gobbledegook
Ear Trumpet is about listening. It’s about the sound under the ground. The noises that you would miss if you didn’t listen for them. A team of sonic investigators have managed to track an exceptional auditory occurrence, which they have discovered, runs under the ground. Eons worth of sound, both ancient and modern, is harmonically bound together, trapped inside our ancient rocks. Occasionally these sounds bubble up and erupt to the surface.
Outside Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | Performances at 11am – 1pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Ear Trumpet below:
Hippochondriac by Thingumajig Theatre
Part animal and part mechanical, Hieronymus the hippo is feeling under the weather. Fortunately, his companion doctor/mechanic is only too eager to show you what’s under the bonnet to diagnose the problem. What follows is an array of puppet shows built into the troubled creature revealing the origin of his malaise.
Piccadilly | Performances at 11.30am – 12.10pm, 1.30pm – 2.10pm & 3pm – 3.40pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Hippochondriac below:
PUNK ALLEY
Please visit the Punk Alley webpage for information on access for this show.
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Piccadilly Stage – Saturday
Connecting Communities by FRONTLINEdance | 11 – 11.15am & 3.20 – 3.25
FRONTLINEdance share a variety of joyful pop-up performances of dance, song, music and spoken word inspired by and co-created with the diverse community of Stoke-on-Trent.
You can also find them in Fountain Square | 12.05 – 12.20 & 1.20 – 1.25pm
Silent Choir by dDeaflinks | 11.25 – 11.55am
dDeaflinks Silent Choir was created to help fundraise for the charity. The choir is made up of profoundly deaf members. To ensure they follow the music, they are led by the only hearing choir member.
Capoeira Workshop with Mestre Piolho| 12.05 – 1pm
Try the vibrant and culturally rich art form developed in Brazil that’s also good for your heart, strength and flexibility
Indian Classical Dance by Dharshanodiyaa school of Bharathanatiyam | 1.10 – 1.40pm
By blending traditional dance with modern music, Dharshanodiyaa resent cultural heritage while creating a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience. This fusion bridges the gap between the past and the present, offering a fresh perspective on a traditional art form.
Scratch Performances by ArtsHill Performers | BSL 1.50 – 2.50pm
The B arts Volunteer Performer Group, ArtsHill, are really looking forward to presenting original sketches, performances, spoken word poetry, monologues and more! There is an Easy Read document for this performance.
Marimba Band by Otto and the Mutapa Calling | 3.30 – 5pm
Otto and the Mutapa Calling are a colourful marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers.
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MORE INFO
- Digital brochure
- Friday 25 line-up
- Saturday 26 line-up
- PUNK ALLEY
- The Big Feast FAQ page
FINDING HELP
Our Appetite Event Stewards will be wearing blue Appetite clothing and will be happy to offer directions and event information.
TOILETS
- Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available at Hanley Indoor Market, Hanley Library, Hanley Bus Station, Potteries Centre and Tesco Extra.
- Changing Places toilets are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Smithfield 1.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
All of the performances taking place at Big Feast are wheelchair accessible.
BLUE BADGE PARKING
2 hours free parking at Tesco Extra, Hanley
Free parking with a Blue Badge at:
- Charles St – on street parking (26 spaces)
- Meigh Street (25 spaces)
- Pall Mall (14 blue badge spaces)
Paid parking can be found at:
- John St (13 blue badge spaces)
- Smithfield MSCP (32 blue badge spaces)
- The Potteries Centre (67 spaces)
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
Audio Description will be available at the event. An Audio Description Kit can be signed out from one of our Appetite HQs. Check next to performance details above for times AD performance times.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs are welcome in the city centre.
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Noise cancelling headphones will be available from the Appetite HQ. You can sign these out and return them once you have used them.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING
Please note that we will have photography and filmmaking taking place throughout the event. If you do not wish to be captured on film, please make sure to let one of the Event Stewards know so that we can inform the crew members.
Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by large numbers of the public who will take their own photos. Appetite is not in control of all photographs and videos taken at the event, only the official photographers.
If you have any questions about access at Big Feast, please email craig@appetite.org.uk or call 01782 381373.
Check out our social media pages for more details in the run up to the event. Don’t already follow us on socials? Here’s where to find us:
Facebook: @appetite.stoke | Instagram: @appetite_stoke | Twitter: @appetitestoke
MORE INFO
All daytime performances are family friendly and wheelchair accessible. For more information you can visit:
- Digital brochure
- Friday 25 line-up
- Saturday 26 line-up
- PUNK ALLEY
- The Big Feast: Access Edition page
- The Big Feast FAQ page
