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Outdoor arts occupy an important and influential role in our society, they have the power to engage audiences outside of the conventical theatre space and their only limitations are the imagination of the artists who create them.
Before I had started at the Corn Exchange Newbury, I had very limited knowledge of outdoor events. In a previous role I had taken part in a lot of promotional activities to help publicise shows, these included character walkabouts, activities in libraries, shopping centres and many more. My understanding of outdoor events and performances was not as developed as it today. We are fortunate that we have 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, a purpose built hanger that is used to develop and present outdoor work both nationally and internationally. I wanted to use my latest article for TheatreArtLife to highlight and showcase the breadth of outdoor events and its power to bring communities together.
Carnival of the Animals was my very first outdoor event at the Corn Exchange and one which I always think back on fondly. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the event was a carnival atmosphere of noise and bright colours. The event coincided with the 250th anniversary of the legendary carnival proprietor Lord George Sanger. The event was a mixture of music, puppetry and performance. It was a truly a sight to behold.
Fire Garden presented by French artists Carabose and was a three day event which took place across Newbury, West Berkshire in October 2019. It was simply one of the most astonishing spectacles I’ve ever seen. There were various fire installations across the town and along the canal which runs through the centre of Newbury. My description of the event can’t really do it justice, the amazing ting about the event was the number of people who came and witnessed it. It felt as if the entire town had come out to see the installations (even on nights when it was raining!). This showed the immense power that outdoor events have of capturing the public’s imagination.
In September 2020, In Memoriam, an installation of white and red flags was presented in Newbury. The artwork by artist Luke Jerram was in tribute to the NHS and care workers who worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The flags were created using bedsheets and formed a giant red cross.
The annual winter lantern trail is a highlight in the calendar, taking the form on a procession through the main streets of Newbury and culminates outside the Corn Exchange Newbury. It features lanterns made by workshop participants in the proceeding weeks prior to the event. It brings the entire local community together to celebrate and enjoy a visual spectacular.
As theatres begin to reopen in line with the UK government’s roadmap, we are presenting a number of outdoor events over the summer.
Some personal highlights for me are going to be:
Black Victorians by Jeanefer Jean – Charles
Future Cargo by Requardt & Rosenberg
Outdoor arts have an enormous power to bring communities together, outside of the traditional theatre architecture. There is just as much variety in outdoor arts as there is indoor work but the beauty and unlimited potential of the outdoors enables for a varied and unique experience for everyone involved.
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Experienced Theatre professional with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. Skilled in marketing, event management, presenting, workshop leading and working with young people.
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