The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre’s 9th Big Splash has arrived! This weekend (Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July) Newport city centre prepares to welcome many artists, musicians, animals and entertainers to 6 different zones, all guaranteed to provide enjoyment and entertainment to visitors and locals of all ages. Here is just a snippet of what to expect in each zone as part of this year’s free family street theatre festival.
For the first time, Big Splash will take over the Red Wave which is situated just up the river walkway from the Riverfront. On Saturday 20, the Red Wave becomes home to unmissable festival highlight The Band at the End of the World from Ramshaklicious. Performing twice, at 2pm and 4.30pm, Cross Keys Brass Band join the possible actual end of the world (as we know it) caused by humankind’s self-destruction, coupled with themes of shared collective consciousness & taking responsibility for the world we live in. The end result is a mixture of pure chaos coupled with uttermost poignancy, as arriving out of nowhere in a raucous cloud of brass heavy music, creating havoc & mayhem, then disappearing into the distance leaving only the mess and smell of its existence behind is The Band at the End of the World!
What the Tortoise Taught Us by the Flying Buttresses will be performed at Newport’s Big Splash at 1.30pm and 4.45pm on Saturday July 20.
John Frost Square and Usk Plaza become a giant stage for the big, the bonkers and the brilliant as part of Friars Walk Zone sponsored by Newport shopping centre Friars Walk. Appearing at this zone will be Whimsy by Krystal Lowe. This beautiful dance-theatre story piece about of a girl who sees beauty in everything around her will be performed at 12pm and 3.15pm on Saturday 20, and at 12.15pm and 2.45pm on Sunday 21. At Usk Plaza at 12.45pm and 3.45pm on Saturday 20 you can be part of history as humanities last ever letter is delivered in in Kristoffer Hubball’s brand new piece The Last Post, commissioned by The Riverfront especially for Big Splash. This zone will also provide life lessons from the wisest creature on the planet, giant tortoise Zelva! What the Tortoise Taught Us by the Flying Buttresses will be performed at 1.30pm and 4.45pm on Saturday 20.
The Kingsway Centre Zone sponsored by Kingsway Centre will become to Mr & Mrs Clark on Saturday 20 as they are Inviting the Neighbours Around to Paint. From 11am- 5pm they will fill an empty shop unit with fun and creativity as they bring people together to draw, paint and express themselves. This zone will also be visited by some cheeky roving creatures over the weekend, including bees and crabs.
The Band at The End of the World will participate in Newport’s Big Splash line up on July 20!
On Saturday 20 July the University of South Wales Zone, supported by Age Cymru and Sports Wales is where you will find youth group the NP20 project. This zone will be full of graffiti, art, music, DJing, MCing and rapping all day! On Sunday 21, this zone will be home to another festival highlight, juggling spectacle Project Vee from Production Shed. Roulette wheel meets juggling in a different dimension featuring danger, skill and unpredictable moments, performed twice at 1pm and 3.15pm.
Commercial Street becomes the Big Splash Busk Zone presented by Le Pub, sponsored by Newport NOW in partnership with Horizons / Gorwelion and Forte Project on Saturday 20 July. Musicians, performers and buskers from across the city will bring the street to life with live music from local names including Codewalkers, Rosehip Teahouse, Ginger Mouche, and Justin Teddy Cliffe. Commercial street will also be home to a giant disco truck! On Saturday evening, the party will continue for grownups as Le Pub presents ‘Big Splash After Hours.’
Krystal Lowe’s Whimsy is among The Big Splash line-up to be featured in Newport on July 20.
The Riverfront will yet again be transformed for the weekend into family hub Splashtonbury sponsored by Western Power Distribution. The front of the building will transport you to ancient Rome thanks to Mufti Games: ROMANS! They invite you to join them and play ancient Roman games to recreate the excitement of the Colosseum. Splashtonbury will also have its very own community stage where you will be entertainment by Jack Perrett, Selena in the Attic, Emile Harris, GLORIA and many more.
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To find out more about all of these free events taking place at Big Splash 2019, and to read all about the acts taking coming along to the festival visit www.bigsplashnewport.com.
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The final weekend timetable is available via here and you can also stay updated with the festival on social media, Twitter @BigSplashFest and Facebook facebook.com/bigsplashnewport.