Wolverhampton children enjoy a Fun-Filled Theatre Festival

A new Family Theatre Festival “Antics” took place on Sunday 15^th August at Newhampton Arts Centre. This outside and under canvas fun-packed programme of enetrtainment in the New Horizons performance area included comedy, puppets, dance, and lots more magic and mischief.

Against all the odds, families and children were greeted at the gates by two giant puppet dodos dazzling their phenomenal feathers. Their magnifcent plumage didn’t fail to impress as they lead visitors into the outdoor covered performance area where the festival was about to be introduced.

Compering the event was the amazing MC Dreadlock Alien aka Richard grant, who kept the children wonderfully engaged and entertained between performances and ensured the event ran smoothly. He kicked off the fun by directing the audience over to Ascension Dance with their pop up parkour workshop. They presented many creative movement-based activities, giving an opportunity for children to work together, whilst giving them the license to create their own movements across a splendid network of apparatus. This resulted in a great display of moves.

Next up on the programme came Curious Cargo Theatre Company presenting the hilarious 64^th emergency service Lollipop Ladies.  Their walkabout show ensured they were helping (and hindering) children and adults across the courtyard with their farcical but fiercely flourescent attire, creating havoc with their witty humour.

The Lollipop Ladies would have been up in arms at the next performance which saw Dangerous Dave performing all sorts of silly ‘don’t do this at home’ stunts. Although more daft than dangerous, this stage show saw the miniature superhero in a food mixer, a microwave and not forgetting the pickled egg jar of doom. Everything turned out fine with the help of the some audience participation and even Dad who saved the day and Dave was once again retuned to his regular tiny self.

Rain didn’t stop play with the next act Talking Birds Theatre Company. They delivered some comical cricket fun and games. They turned the courtyard into Edgbaston and got all the audience well and truly stuck in with wicket keeping whilst avoiding the grumpy health and safety officer.  As the well-known and well-loved intrumental theme tune, Soul Limbo aka “the BBC cricket theme tune” filled the air, the entertainment drew to a close.

The festival was such a fun programme, Newhampton Arts Centre did the whole thing twice, enjoying it all again for a second audience in the afternoon.  Trevelyan Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Newhampton Arts Centre said:

“This last year has had a significant impact on our children, so events like these are now more important than ever. We were thrilled to be able to welcome such a wonderful variety of performers and entertainment and I’d like to thank the children whose enthusiasm made the day very special”.  

 Graffiti and collage card making workshops also took place ensuring their was never a dull moment, whilst No. 5 Events Catering provided a mouth-watering selection of pizza’s and other delicious family friendly hot snacks to complement this free event.

The festival fun did not stop there. Newhampton Arts Centre is followed up their open-air activities with the Future Bubblers Summer Block Party.  This second Block Party at Newhampton Arts Centre, featured live music from Jerome Thomas, Sahra, Neone the Wonderer and Unique. The crowd also enjoyed live DJ sets, more delicious festival food, and fun for all the family with children’s workshops to complete this summer festival atmosphere. This FREE event took place at Newhampton Arts Centre on the New Horizons Stage on Saturday 4^th September.