The 24th Stockton International Riverside Festival (4-7 August) is delighted to announce further programme highlights.
For four extraordinary days in August, Stockton-on-Tees in the North East of England will be transformed into a vast performance space for both UK and international outdoor arts.
With its strong tradition of networking to bring festival audiences the latest and best developments in outdoor arts, SIRF is a founder member of Meridians - the European network for the performing arts in non-conventional venues.
The European Meridians network features eight festivals from Zagreb to Stockholm via Dublin and Stockton. With funding from the European Union, SIRF will present collaborative projects featuring the English companies Ragroof Theatre and Metro Boulot Dodo working with French and Spanish partner companies.
Ragroof Theatre has joined forces with French company Cie Vendaval to bring Bridges to SIRF. Taking their inspiration from the evolution of the tango, they explore how the interaction of cultures through music and dance overcomes the barriers of language.
Reial Companyia de Teatre de Catalunya joins forces with British company Metro Boulot Dodo to bring The Guide to SIRF audiences. The Guide is sited in a museum and audiences will be dated before donning MP3 headphones. But the narrative is not about the exhibits but rather about the Museum’s staff. Audiences will find out about the lives of the receptionist, security guard and cleaner and the thoughts and hopes they hide while working.
Frank Wilson, SIRF’s Artistic Director:
“The Meridians network is giving opportunities for companies in the UK to work across frontiers with artists of their choice on the creation of new shows.
“We are proud to bring these two Meridians commissions to Stockton and SIRF – both are rooted in the lives of people and tied to specific locations, but reflect a European reality as well as a local one.”
Come to SIRF - and expect the unexpected.
