Welcome Weekend at The Piece Hall
Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
A calvacade of the best international street theatre performers and shows are headed to Halifax’s restored Piece Hall for an entire weekend of theatrical japes as part of its Welcome opening festival.
The newly landscaped expansive Georgian courtyard will spring into life as one of the best new outdoor performances spaces in the country as curious characters and spectacular shows will wreak havoc and charm family and adult audiences alike.
Expect to be wowed by the daring do and dance, high wire, acrobatic and illusionary spectacles of Indian circus titans Circus Raj. Witness feats passed down through generations from the time of the Maharajas.
If you happen to be enjoying a tipple from one of the new cafes, bars or restaurants within The Piece Hall watch out for campaigners from Curious Cargo’s The Temperance Society who will be ensuring restraint and decorum are the order of the day and keeping a look out for any tomfoolery.
If you are after ideas for your barnet, be transformed into a living work of art with a do like no other from acclaimed Barcelona street performers and hair artists Osadia. Meanwhile, look out for curious character Syrovy from street arts organisation Artizani and witness everyday objects (newspapers, chairs, cutlery) hysterically conspiring against him. Root for him to ultimately find some balance on possibly the wobbliest tightrope in the world.
In an interactive show from the mega Whalley Range All Stars, help Ye Gods bring a model town to life and then descend into hysterical chaos and watch a miniscule performance of Hound of the Baskervilles in the Grand Theatre of Lemmings’ Smallest Theatre in the World.
This sort of line up and programming is heaven for those who don’t want to feel restrained by more conventional theatre experiences. Outside, in a dream space like this – anything goes dipping in and out of encounters and shows as you like and often having the most memorable experiences from something you chance upon.
With events such as this The Piece Hall is surely set to be top of the list of any family’s weekend and holiday to do list – set within the safe, large, stunning courtyard with space to bomb around, magical colonnaded galleries to wind through, steps to leap off, water to splash in and world class arts experiences to absorb at the same time. Winning.
