Two popular circus-themed events are coming together to create the all-new Astley’s Homecoming.
Anybody who attended AstleyFest or The Homecoming in previous years will know what a treat is in store as Appetite once more partner with The Philip Astley Project and Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District (BID) to send in the clowns on Saturday 17 June from 11am to 4pm. Supported by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Astley’s Homecoming is part of this year’s exciting calendar of summer events celebrating everything about the borough in its 850th birthday year.
The free daytime programme of family fun will run throughout Newcastle Town Centre with a riotous mix of walkabout performers and hilarious shows. Roaming around you will encounter a trio of lost clowns blowing wherever their balloons take them, see Cirques Des Miserables doing something vaguely entertaining with balloon modelling and tiny dog taming, and quite likely come across Phileas Fogg on the 79th day of his epic voyage as he attempts to coerce his hot air balloon in the direction of the finish line. And try not to get carried away – quite literally – as giant bubbles the size of cars fly through the air. Plus, witness some of the best that modern circus has to offer with gravity-defying comedy, enchanting hula hoops and slapstick cooking.
New for this year is the inclusion of an evening show aimed at those aged 16 and over. Astley’s Homecoming Cabaret Presented by Dizzy O Dare will be a fast-paced, slick spectacle where you can expect to see juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, and quite possibly some combination of all three at the same time. And that’s not to mention The Big Balloon Finale! Unlike the daytime programme, the cabaret is a bookable, seated event taking place outside the Guildhall with two acts running between 8pm and 9.20pm. Tickets offered on a ‘donate what you decide’ basis. Simply book for free by searching ‘Astley’s Homecoming’ on Eventbrite, then make your donation at the event. Local businesses will be getting in on the act offering food and drinks of all kinds to purchase from 7.30pm.
Gemma Thomas, Appetite Director, said: “Appetite’s aim is to get more people in the area to experience and be inspired by the arts. This is everyone, including partners, business owners, and members of the public. Astley’s Homecoming is the next generation of the projects originally designed to celebrate our place in circus history but also showcase the best, fun and accessible talent from across the UK. We’re thrilled to be working in partnership, and to be celebrating circus’ legacy in the borough’s 850th anniversary. Please join us to help us celebrate!“
Newcastle-under-Lyme’s status as a place of cultural significance to the circus community stems from the fact that Philip Astley, known as the father of the modern-day circus, was born there in 1742. The son of a cabinetmaker, he forged his own path to become a master equestrian, entrepreneur, military hero, and showman. In 1768, Astley opened his riding school before developing the 42-foot-diameter circus ring, still the standard size used in circus across the world today.
Andrew Van Buren, Director of The Philip Astley Project, said: “It is wonderful that the legacy of Philip Astley, the creator of modern circus, continues into the 21st century and nowhere more so than in his birthplace of Newcastle-under-Lyme. This year AstleyFest and Homecoming join forces to become ‘Astley’s Homecoming’, not only celebrating his legacy but also bringing contemporary circus into the town centre, raising the town’s footfall, and providing a fun-filled day and evening of live entertainment for all.“
This summer’s celebration of all things circus in the town continues when the Showpeople of North Staffordshire exhibition opens in at Newcastle Commons on 30 June. Celebrating the lives and histories of travelling shows and fairgrounds, and the people who worked in them, the exhibition will curate photographs, memorabilia and audio recordings of reminiscences gathered at community events over recent months.
Showpeople of North Staffordshire, presented by Presented by The Philip Astley Project in conjunction with Appetite and Historic England, can be viewed every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 3pm, from Friday 30 June until . Entry is free.
For all event, performance and access information, including an Easy Read document, go to www.appetite.org.uk
