The Riverfront Theatre’s Big Splash festival is returning to Newport this July and the first act announcement has been released!
The Big Splash festival is a family-favourite yearly event that never fails to disappoint with its extraordinary array of acts and activities for visitors to enjoy, all free of charge. The event is the largest of its kind in Wales and entertains people of all ages with fun, captivating, light-hearted street theatre, live music, craft activities and more!
We’re going to have pop-up circus theatre in every corner! with The Man on The Moon, The Super Hooper Hula Hooping Street Show and Richard Garagthy Extranvagana!! based in Usk Plaza. Fit Up Productions are returning to Big Splash bringing a party of daring acts with jaw-dropping stunts and nimble tricks. Out of the Box will also be roaming the streets of Newport on a mission to defy gravity and deliver a world class juggling show.
It will be day 79 of the 80-day race to circumnavigate the world when Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout arrive at Big Splash. They will be just hours away from the finish line of their spectacular adventure. Having crossed five continents, 24 time zones and now down to their last pair of clean underpants, the competitors will be trying their best to control their hot air balloons and steer clear of any obstacles. If you happen to see them, make sure to send them in the right direction!
Hot off the success our co-production with them, How To Defeat Monsters (and get away with it), the popular duo, Flossy and Boo are back! They will be returning with their two adventurous botanists, for an exciting and enchanting walkabout theatre experience titled, The Botanist. Join them to uncover the fascinating world of Newport and the magic that lies within it.
They may not be the best baton twirlers or marching band members but what they lack in skill they make up with enthusiasm! Ready for their celebratory debut at the Big Splash festival are The Little Miss Majorettes from Kitsch & Sinc Collective. Expect a comedic display of anti-climactic tricks, false starts, fumbling formations and an (almost) extravagant ending!
Another act from Kitsch & Sinc Collective and bringing a splash of nostalgia and nautical naughtiness to Newport are Hello Buoys! Follow the three dinghy-less damsels as they dip their toes and cause a splash on their seafaring voyage. They will be wandering around the city centre looking for a captain to guide them to sun kissed beaches.
We are also delighted to announce that this year’s literary stage will be curated by our associate artist and Children’s Laureate Wales 2021-2023, Connor Allen. This will embrace performances from a variety of spoken word artists, designed to showcase the power of stripped back story telling.
On top of all these impressive acts, we are overjoyed to confirm the reappearance of our community stage, which will now be known as the Celebrate stage. This stage will feature lots of local talent, from live music to dance performances and continue to be a place within the festival that celebrates the local community.
We would like to say how appreciative we are of Arts Council Wales, Newport Bus, Friars Walk, Newport BID who have all made the festival possible. We would also like to thank Newport City Council, the Mercure Hotel and our event partners, Le Pub, for their continued support.
We will be releasing more information about the festival on our website and social media channels. So, keep a close eye to keep up to date with line-up announcements, stage locations, timings and more!
The festival is a not-to-be-missed event so make sure to save the date in your diary!