Pakman by Post uit Hessdalen – The Big Feast 18!

Step into the back of the PAKMAN van and discover a surprising and explosive performance where juggling comes up against drumming.

An energetic jam between two extraordinary talents, PAKMAN explores the speed of modern lives.

Expect sweat, beats and one unforgettable show.

Stoke-on-Trent’s freshest outdoor arts festival, The Big Feast returns to fill the streets of the City Centre with scrumptious free entertainment on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 August 2018.

Check out the full Big Feast ’18 Brochure and find your way around with our Big Feast map and schedule.

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AstleyFest

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 5/60^th Rifles 

To celebrate Astley’s military life, the Coldstream Guards 1815 and 5/60^th 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.

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Just can’t get enough circus at this year’s Homecoming? Fear not!

After The Homecoming daytime programme, join us & Newcastle BID for The Homecoming by Night and discover four circus acts as they pop up in Newcastle venues. From world record yo-yo-ing to catapult action, join us for an early evening tipple or meal and experience incredible talent from your bar stool!

The Homecoming by Night is led by Newcastle BID as part of The Philip Astley Project and supported by National Lottery Players through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Line Up:

Merry Maker by Kazzum

6.00pm    Location: Bar Social
6.45pm    Location: YATES

Lasts:     15 mins

Catch Arji Manuelpillai presenting one-minute bespoke poems and raps. This very merry performer entertains and interacts with guests as he regales them with something personal, on the spot!

Down Up by Arron Sparks

6.15pm   Location: The Kiln
7.00pm   Location:  Cappello Lounge

Lasts:     15 mins

Three-time Guinness World Record holder, Arron Sparks, guides you through a world of social outcasts, unappreciated champions and millionaire entrepreneurs, whose lives tangle together in unlikely stories forgotten by society.

Down-Up is a show about Yo-Yos (yes, the kid’s toy).

PUB by Molly Orange

6.45pm    Location: Bar Social
7.45pm    Location: YATES

Lasts:     15 mins

The PUB is on TOUR!
The most entertaining landlord and land lady duo you’ve ever seen- Lucy and Owen perform bar room tricks that will make your head spin more than the 10 pints you’ve had.

Long Shot by Matt Pang

6.30pm   Location: The Kiln
7.30pm   Location:  Capello Lounge

Lasts:     15 mins    

When failure is not an option, what could possibly go wrong?

Join us for a catapultastic evening of clowning, contraptions, comedy and courage, as one man’s belief in the near impossible is put to the test. Part non-verbal circus performance, part behind the scenes ‘making of’, Long Shot will have you on the edge of your seat. Or hiding behind it. Either way, it’s going to be a blast.

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