Free fun in Newark Market place at Newark Creates’ Streets Ahead event

Theatre and circus brought Newark’s Market Place to life over the weekend — with over 2,000 people getting involved.

The Streets Ahead event, held by Newark Creates in partnership with SO Festival, saw two international street theatre companies descend on the town centre for a day of free fun on Sunday (June 16).

There were two performances of De Cuyper vs. De Cuyper, a circus piece by Cie Pol and Freddy, the titular De Cuyper brothers who create their work in Belgium.

In a swirling sports stadium, the two juggling brothers competed against each other to be champion.

Zum Zum Theatre, a Spanish cross-disciplinary performing arts company founded in 1994, also brought two performances of their show Hippos to the event.

The hip-hop dancing hippos drew in the crowds for a meaningful piece of street theatre which delighted all ages.

Over midday, the Circus Starlight team hosted a drop-in circus skills workshop with a trapeze, juggling and a tightwire for attendees to test out their circus skills on.

There was even more to keep visitors entertained, with a display of cars put on by Stealth Car Community and a range of arts, crafts and sports throughout the day.

Around 2,250 people are estimated to have stopped by to watch the shows or take part in activities across the day.

Sara Bullimore, of Newark Creates, said: “Thank you to everyone who came to our first event of the year. We work in association with the SO Festival on the Lincolnshire Coast and it was a great opportunity to invite some of their European Outdoor Arts and Street Theatre Artists to Newark.

“With additional stalls, creative workshops, book swaps, cars and lots of fun a great day out for all was had. The atmosphere in the market place was fun, friendly and vibrant. Now onto Book Benches.”