Solihull Arts Complex
Fresh Air Theatre Festival
‘Fresh Air Theatre’ is a brand new cultural festival from Culture Solihull, bringing more than 40 free events to parks across Solihull between 30 June and 31 August. Supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, an exciting programme will feature performances from world class theatre, dance, music and physical theatre companies.
Kicking off the festival is Solihull’s very own vintage vocal harmony trio, The Boogaloo Babes, with a free concert on 30 June in Hillfield Park, with further performances on 21 July (Knowle Park) and 31 August (Dicken’s Heath Park).
Creators of world class dance-circus productions, Motionhouse use dynamic parkour and rhythmic beats to perform ‘HENGE’ in Shirley Park on 28 July. Watch a set of gigantic neolithic stones transform before your eyes to create new structures and shapes for the performers to play on and explore. Lively and joyous, exhilarating and exciting, ‘HENGE’ is a must-see for audiences of all ages.
Circo Rum Ba Ba present ‘The Crow House’, a lively battle of acrobatics, trapeze, hat juggling, slapstick and audience participation. This silent movie-inspired show is as exciting as it is silly! See ‘The Crow House’ on 29 July (Bentley Heath Recreation Ground), 30 July (Damson Lane Park) and 31 July (Lanchester Park).
In RoguePlay’s ‘Forests’, performers climb and manipulate a tree, the acrobatic dance sees them throwing, clambering and trampling one another, whilst ropes entangle and bind, before the tree is finally felled amid an explosion of tree-less origami birds! Shows will take place on 3 August (Lavender Hall Park), 4 August (Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens), 14 August (Elmdon Park) and 15 August (Dorridge Park).
Highly Sprung’s ‘CastAway’ is a stunning outdoor performance that explores the impact of today’s throwaway society on our waterways. Featuring a unique gyroscopic flying machine, the all-female cast immerses audiences in an underwater world where performers dive, twist, and float over 26 feet in the air to delight, inspire and captivate audiences of all ages. See ‘CastaAway’ on 17 August (Tudor Grange Park) and 18 August (Lavender Hall Park).
Enjoy theatrical storytelling with ‘The Chelmsley Tale’ in multiple parks across the Borough from 19 to 24 August. It tells the fairy tales associated with the origins of Chelmsley Wood, including characters such as Chelmund, the Woodlings and mischievous forest sprites!
On 24 August, Ascension Dance present ‘The Other Side’ in Knowle Park and Jubilee Park Olton. This thrilling highly physical performance tackles the ideas of bridging differences and divides in order to all benefit. Watch the performers realise that the only way to succeed will be by finding a way to work together, support each other, and lift one another up.
On 28 August, Elmdon Park plays host to ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ by Autin Dance Theatre. This beautiful spectacle tells the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and encounters a courageous young girl named Violet. ‘Out of The Deep Blue’ features a gigantic 13-foot tall puppet and includes a promenade and theatre show.
‘Parade’ is a moving performance by Autin Dance Theatre on 29 August, inspired by the beauty, power, and impact of people from different walks of life coming together. A 12 foot tall giant wheel will carry performers high above the streets of Solihull town centre, spinning them around and upside down.
There's something for everyone to enjoy, please come and join the fun!
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