Wolverhampton children enjoy a Fun-Filled Theatre Festival in the sunshine

Newhampton Arts Centre’s annual Family Theatre Festival “Antics” took place on Sunday 14th August. This outside and under canvas fun-packed programme of enetrtainment in the New Horizons performance area and courtyard included comedy, and lots more magic and mischief from 4 wonderful theatre companies.

Compering the event was the amazing MC Dreadlock Alien aka Richard grant, who kept children wonderfully engaged and entertained between performances and ensured the event ran smoothly.

He kicked off the fun by directing the audience over to theatre company The Fabularium with their outdoor performance of There Be Monsters! Children were treated to the hapless but noble knight Don Quixote and his long suffering, fortune seeking side-kick Sancha Panza on their epic quest to revive chivalry, confront monsters and seek to right what is wrong or accidentally wrong what is right!

Next on the programme came Rhubarb Theatre company presenting 3 suitcases, A beautiful little festival show about 3 quirky characters that meet by chance at a train station. Full of mime, physical theatre, music and fun, this was a silly and sweet Rhubarb treat for all the family who were captivated by their performance.

Circus Berzercus then provided audiences in the big top with some juggling good fun in a show full of misunderstandings. Everything turned out fine with the help of the some fabulous younger audience members.

The returning Talking Birds Theatre Company delivered some bonkers bowling fun and games in Come Bowl With Me. The show, commissioned by Birmingham 2022 Festival saw audiences joining Lorna Bowles, Dwayne Hardball and Roger Rinkwell as they coached them through the gentle joys and fierce competition of this much-loved game. However, tensions rose in the Strictly Come Bowling arena as players competed for the Glitter Bowl Trophy!

Graffiti artist Graffoflarge and art workshops also took place ensuring their was never a dull moment, whilst the on site Arts Cafe provided a mouth-watering selection of pizza’s, hotdogs and other delicious family friendly food to complement this free event.

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:

“We were delighted to once again bring to the city a wonderful selection of performers for our now annual Family Theatre Festival. Particular thanks go to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation who supported our summer programme, and to all the artists, staff and workshop leaders who worked so hard in 32 degree heat.  Despite the heat audiences of all ages were brilliant and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!”.

The family smiles and laughter do not stop there however. Newhampton Arts Centre is following up the summer fun with the announcement of its winter production of Snow Play in December 2022. This annual Christmas show Snow Play will take place at Newhampton Arts Centre, a brrrrrriliant snowy showdown between winter and spring. To find out more and book tickets click the link below.