City Encounters brings free entertainment to Salisbury

To celebrate the return of live performance, City Encounters will offer a programme of free outdoor theatre, dance and circus.

It is going to be bringing the city centre, Salisbury Arts Centre and the Cathedral Close to life on Sunday, May 30 and Bank Holiday Monday, May 31.

The line-up

The line-up from Wiltshire Creative is supported by Without Walls and brings together up-and-coming companies as well as established street artists.

1. Alleyne Dance

Bonded is Alleyne Dance’s new dance production exploring the construct of human dependency.

It is performed by twin sisters, Kristina and Sade. 

The work uses abstract narrative, West African dance aesthetics and language, as well as circus skills.

Alleyne Dance Picture by: Albert Vidal

2. Black Victorians

Dance with a dramatic backdrop can be enjoyed on the Salisbury Cathedral Lawns, with performances of Black Victorians, a dance piece inspired by the discovery of hundreds of portraits of Black people from Victorian England, now given voice and body to the characters in the portraits.

Wiltshire Creative Cty Encounters:Black Victorians by Jeanefer Jean-Charles, performed 30th August 2020 at St George’s Garrison Church. Dancer Bafana Solomon Matea Phot credit: festival.org Greenwell

3. Altered States

The Invisible Man takes inspiration from H G Wells’ famous novel to raise awareness of issues including deafness, homelessness and ageing.

Wiltshire Creative City Encounters: Invisible Man

4. Pif-Paf

TOAST is Pif-Paf’s celebration of food, song, story, dance and fire performed on, and around, their mobile kitchen cart.

It includes a mixture of songs, stories and recipes from musicians and cooks all around the world.

Wiltshire Creative City Encounters: Pif-Paf Toast Picture by Brian Slater

5. Strong Lady Productions

There is also circus, comedy and feats of strength in Strong Enough from Strong Lady Productions.

Wiltshire Creative Cty Encounters: Strong Enough from Strong Lady Productions Picture by Sean Longmore

6. Simple Cypher

Simple Cypher is a young company featuring graduates from the National Centre for Circus Arts and they bring their new show Roll Play to Salisbury.

Three performers blur the boundaries between hip-hop and circus.

Wiltshire Creative City Encounters: Simple Cypher. Performers Chris Thomas and Kieran Warner Picture by ANDU KAPRAR

7 What Happened to You?

Three raggedy puppets and real-life stories highlight the importance of access and inclusion.

Nikki Charlesworth explores our preconceptions about disability in a playful way that is fun for the whole family.

8. Free family activities at Bemerton Heath and Salisbury Arts Centre

Free family activities at Bemerton Heath include live performances from Strong Lady productions and an Outdoor Silent Disco on Saturday, May 29, which will also be at Salisbury Arts Centre on the Sunday (May 30) and Monday (May 31).

'There will be something for everyone'

Wiltshire Creative Festival Producer Fiona Curtis said: “City Encounters returns to the city as a well-known and much-loved part of the calendar.

"A weekend of free events that is suitable for all.”

Wiltshire Creative Artistic Director Gareth Machin said: “There will be something for everyone in and around Salisbury to enjoy this May Bank Holiday weekend as we celebrate the return of outdoor theatre, dance, circus and so much more.”

Tickets

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Visit: wiltshirecreative.co.uk

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