Visitors to this year’s Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) from 4 – 7 August will have the chance to see some of the country’s brightest emerging street art talent thanks to a new project with one of the five host Boroughs of the London 2012 Olympics.
Called Gone in 20 Minutes, the project will present 10 new shows from a variety of disciplines including theatre, dance, circus and cabaret, at Spitalfields in London on Sunday, 17 July and SIRF on Friday, 5 August.
It gives 10 companies the chance to present their work and to compete for two prizes – one awarded by a panel of judges and the other voted by the audiences at Spitalfields and SIRF.
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.
Stockton High Street will stage Gone in 20 Minutes from 12.15-5.30pm on Friday, 5 August.
Among the companies performing are Bui Bolg with The Chancy Brothers. Enjoy watching a quintessential Irish scene unfold through giant puppetry and music.
Estelle Rosenfeld and Philip Parrbring Spread the Love to SIRF – take time out to have your senses awakened and learn the truth about love. If you need to get anything off your chest then Biding Time‘s Rantbox could be for you. Three roving performers interview passers-by about the state of the world. They then rant on your behalf – with some famous speeches and dancing thrown in for good measure.
Delightful puppet theatre comes courtesy of The Alchemist by Frolicked. After losing his assistant in an unfortunate accident, the Alchemist continues with his series of experiments to turn lead into gold. Is there another catastrophe waiting to happen?
Frank Wilson, SIRF’s Artistic Director:
“Gone in 20 Minutes is a great opportunity for these young companies and a chance for the public to see an amazing variety of new shows made for the street. Let us know what you think by voting for SIRF’s first ever audience prize.”
Catch all ten companies perform for YOUR vote on Friday, 5 August as part of SIRF 2011. Voting is done via text which costs 50p plus normal network charges. One lucky voter will win £200 and the winning company will be announced on Saturday, 6 August.
Full voting information, including numbers to text, is available on the SIRF website.
Note to editors : All media enquiries for SIRF should be directed to Emma Chesworth at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council emma.chesworth@stockton.gov.uk. Telephone 01642 526162.
The Stockton Weekender is an independently produced festival, presented by Tees Music Alliance with support from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Arts Council England. The Stockton Weekender runs alongside SIRF – one of Europe’s finest festivals of street theatre. For details log onto www.stocktonweekender.co.uk.
All media enquiries for The Stockton Weekender should be directed to Ciara Johnson at Tees Music Alliance ciara@teesmusicalliance.org.uk. Telephone 01642 606525.
