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! of extraordinary open air moments AA festival festival of extraordinary open air moments
World class performance on our streets FESTIVAL GUIDE MON 20 JUNE – SUN 3 JULY 2011
of extraordinary open air moments AA festival festival of extraordinary open air moments
MON 20 JUNE – SUN 3 JULY 2011 Imagine Watford brings world class international performance to the streets of Watford from 20 June – 3 July. With over 80 performances from internationally acclaimed artists taking place during the festival fortnight, there will be stunning and breathtaking free entertainment for all ages. The event brings alive Watford’s High Street and The Parade, from Watford Palace Theatre to Watford Colosseum. Throughout the festival you can expect to see performances the likes of which you won’t have experienced before! From a performance in a shipping container, to open-air spectacles, to outdoor dance and theatre in a secret back-street location... we know that your imagination will be truly provoked! 1
Imagine Watford brings artists from Australia, France, Ireland, Spain and from across the UK to Watford. There is also a distinctive local flavour too, with 200 children from Hertfordshire schools participating and Watford based Rifco Arts staging work as part of the festival. The festival has been created by the Watford Cultural Leaders Group, which brings together Arts Council England, Watford Borough Council, Watford For You, Watford Palace Theatre, Watford Colosseum, Watford Football Club, West Herts College, BBC Concert Orchestra, Rifco Arts, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and Hertfordshire County Council.
Cover: The Heliosphere Right: The Three Belles
Festival Information Tickets All events are free. Most events do not require a ticket. Where tickets are required, this is shown in this guide. Tickets can be obtained from Watford Palace Theatre or The Ticket Shop in John Lewis Watford. On the day of the event, remaining tickets are available from the Information Point (High Street). Car Parking Car Parking is available in Palace Charter Car Park for just ÂŁ2.50 for up to 4 hours. First Aid/Lost Children/ Lost Property Please contact any member of our stewarding team or visit the Information Point on the High Street. Access Events are accessible to wheelchair users. If you would like more information about accessibility, please contact the information line on 01923 225671 or email access@imaginewatford.co.uk Information Point Our Town Centre Festival Information Point is open from 10.00 - 21.00 from Mon 20 June - Sun 3 July.
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Act Without Words II By Samuel Beckett S J Productions
With two contrasting characters living in separate sacks, Act Without Words II is one of Samuel Beckett’s most universal and versatile plays. This new production, performed on the street, brings powerful resonances of homelessness and drug addiction to this sensitive and moving, Words intimate and intense,Act pieceWithout of outdoor theatre. Directed by Beckett specialist Sarah Jane Scaife, who has directed, and lectured on, Beckett all over the world - from Ireland to India, Greece to Mongolia. Designed by Aedin Cosgrove and performed by Raymond Keane (Barabbas Theatre Company) and Bryan Burroughs (The Irish Times Theatre Awards Best Supporting Actor 2009), two of Ireland’s most talented physical theatre artists.
When? Mon 20 21.45 Tue 21 21.45 Wed 22 21.45 Thu 23 21.45 Where?
Meet in Palace Theatre Foyer
Free - Strictly limited number of tickets available – please book in advance Call 01923 225671
“A powerful poignant vignette of human existence...” The Irish Times
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When? Thu 23 14.00, 18.00, 20.00 Fri 24 16.30, 18.00. 20.00 Sat 25 14.00, 16.00, 17.30 Sun 26 12.30, 14.00, 16.00 Where? The Parade
Free - No Need To Book
The Three Belles Strange Fruit
Seductive and charming, The Three Belles transport the audience into a dreamlike world of period charm and frivolity. Through a whirlwind of dance and movement, they transcend past, present and future as they enchant admirers. This street spectacle is choreographed by Strange Fruit’s Creative Director Phillip Gleeson with Senior Artist Sally Smith.
Australia’s Strange Fruit is a much celebrated performance company that creates and performs a unique style of work for audiences worldwide. Using 5 metre flexible poles, the performers bend and sway to impossible angles, combining elements of theatre, dance and circus to create an original style of performance. Since forming in 1994, Strange Fruit has established itself as one of Australia’s most iconic outdoor theatre companies, having performed at over 450 international festivals and events, in over 50 countries, on 6 continents to well over 5 million people.
“It’s like air ballet. You won’t see anything like it” The Wharf, UK
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3rd Ring Out: The Emergency
When? Fri 24, Sat 25, Sun 26, Mon 27, Tue 28
Metis Arts
It’s 2033: out there is a killer heat wave and in the Emergency Response Cell everything depends on the pathway you vote for. Where will you defend? Who will you feed? And what will you save? 3rd Ring Out is a provocative, multi-media immersion in a possible future, with live performance, computerised voting, and the future of the UK at stake. Cambridge based Metis Arts creates arts projects that engage with contemporary concerns and explore innovative ways of connecting with audiences. 3rd Ring Out is conceived by director/dramaturg Zoe Svendsen and director/designer Simon Daw.
13.30, 14.45, 16.00, 17.00, 18.15, 19.30
Where? High Street Free - Strictly limited number of tickets available – please book in advance Call 01923 225671 For Ages 12+
“Outstanding” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
You can also drop into the ‘Strategy Cell’ container on the High Street to discuss and influence Watford’s fate open daily 13.30 - 19.30 on performance days 5
When? Fri 24 17.00, 19.30 Sat 25 15.00, 17.30 Sun 26 15.00, 17.30 Where?
La Mirada Transparente Producciones Imperdibles
High Street
Free - there are a limited number of seats under the stage – please book in advance to guarantee a seat Call 01923 225671 Or watch in the round
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience ravishing dance from an unusual angle. A transparent stage provides the setting for a series of performances designed to be viewed by audience members on reclining seats beneath the stage or in the round. Offering dizzying perspectives on sensuous Spanish dance framed by Watford’s architecture, the effect is unforgettable. Producciones Imperdibles’ previous production of ‘Mirando al Cielo’ has been performed 300 times in countries around the world.
4 x different 8 minute performances within each 60 minute slot
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Break Da Floorboards Rifco Arts
When? Sat 25 12.30, 14.00, 16.00 Where? High Street Free - No Need To Book
Rifco Arts will be performing a preview as part of the development of its new dance drama, Break Da Floorboards. Rifco Arts plans to tour the full production in 2012 in partnership with Watford Palace Theatre. To date this project has been developed through community participation and working with a young British Asian choreographer and Creative Academy Dance College in Slough, whose students are performing today.
Rifco Arts develop and create vibrant, accessible and high quality theatre to encourage and engage new and diverse audiences. In 2011 Rifco Arts became a Resident Company at Watford Palace Theatre, and can next be seen at the Palace in September, in an exciting new production of the five-star hit musical Britain’s Got Bhangra, charting the rise of British Bhangra from the sequin clad 80s through to the fusion of today’s charts.
“A delight that brings audiences to its feet” The Guardian on Britain’s Got Bhangra
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When? Sun 26 12.00, 13.30 Where? Town Hall Steps Free - No Need To Book
Big Sing
Hertfordshire Music Service The Big Sing is an opportunity for 200 children to take part in Imagine Watford. The children have learnt a selection of songs in school from a collection put together by Sing Up, the national campaign to encourage singing in primary schools.
The children come from the following schools: Beechfield, Leavesden Green, Kingsway, Bushey Manor, Highwood, Sacred Heart, Divine Saviour, Cherry Tree, Nascot Wood, St Albert the Great and The Russell. Hertfordshire Music Service is delighted to co-ordinate occasions such as this. It works with many local Primary Music Festivals across Hertfordshire and every two years takes two choirs of over 1,000 members to sing at the Royal Albert Hall, all in one day!
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Deception In The Forest
Foundation For Indian Performing Arts
When? Sun 26 12.00, 14.00, 16.30 Where? High Street Free - No Need To Book
Spectacular stilt performance with a distinctive style where classical pan-Asian dancers combine with acoustic outdoor musicians to create epic storytelling, drawing from the magical tapestry of Ramayana myths. Audiences will encounter a dramatically colourful array of extraordinary performers on stilts dancing, chanting and drumming. FIPA encourages and supports practitioners to draw upon the rich cultures of India to create work in classical, traditional and contemporary settings. 9
When? Thu 30 20.00 Fri 1 20.30 Sat 2 20.30 Where? High Street Free - No Need To Book
Chodzenie-Siberia 30 Bird Productions
“A quirky celebration of family and international relationships� Fringe Review (Poland 3 Iran 2)
Parked slap bang in the middle of the High Street, Chodzenie-Siberia is a surprise encounter performed on and around a military truck. Floating four metres in the air, Mr & Mrs Novak tell us stories of a journey - a journey made by hundreds of thousands of migrating Polish captives of War from Siberia to Iran. Climb aboard and embark on a voyage of discovery. 30 Bird is a performance and live art company focused on site specific, interdisciplinary work, creating unique experiences for audiences. The company has an international perspective and regularly collaborates with artists from Iran, Germany, Japan, Italy, Poland, India and Turkey.
Chodzenie-Siberia is made possible by the generous support of the Polish Cultural Institute
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A festival of extraordinary open air moments
Location of festival events in Watford Town Centre
Big Sing
H RO
AD
LIBRARY
KM AN SW RIC
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Third Ring Out Chodzenie-Siberia
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Locations are approximate and are intended as a guide only. Look out for our event staff at event locations from 60 minutes before performance times.
ON
BBC Concert Orchestra
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Herbert’s Dream
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THE COLOSSEUM
OR T
TOWN HALL
The Heliosphere
Let’s Get Wet The Three Belles BEEC HEN GRO VE
Seasaw
La Mirada Transparente
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Break Da Floorboards E
AD
AR EP
TH H HIG
CLA
HS
HIG
REN DO
NR D
ST
Act Without Words II
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WATFORD PALACE THEATRE
Deception In The Forest 12
Herbert’s Dream
Compagnie des Quidams
When? Thu 30 21.45 Fri 1 21.45 Where? The Parade Free - No Need To Book
An enchanting evening event with a sprinkle of magic. As the stars twinkle above Watford, five mysterious white figures beckon you to join them for an evening procession in search of light. As they weave their path along the Parade, they transform into majestic, ethereal characters. Follow them on a journey to their destination, for a beautiful and bewitching finale. French Compagnie des Quidams has performed Herbert’s Dream more than 400 times in Europe and all over the world, including at the World Cup in France in 1998. 13
When? Sat 2 11.00, 12.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16,00, 17.00 Where? High Street Free - No Need To Book
BBC Concert Orchestra
Participating in Imagine Watford provides a wonderful way for the BBC Concert Orchestra to herald its return to the town in advance of the re-opening of Watford Colosseum, as 12 members of the orchestra take to the Watford open air stage and perform a selection of pieces from its extensive repertoire. From this September, the Concert Orchestra will once again base much of its activity at the Colosseum where alongside rehearsals and studio recordings, there will be concerts and broadcasts for BBC Radios 2 and 3.
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Seasaw
Tilted Productions A trail of dance, performance and theatre snippets, Seasaw is inspired by what the sea and its shores mean to us. Whether evoking a glimmer of the glorious bygone days of Victorian seaside attractions or provoking thoughts on current issues like coastal erosion and water pollution, Seasaw is an unusual and surprising contemporary take on the seaside fair. Tilted Productions was founded by Maresa von Stockert in 1999 and the company has received wide recognition, performing its production of ‘Masquerade’ at the Palace earlier this year.
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When? Sat 2 13.00, 15.30 Sun 3 13.00, 15.30 Where? The Parade Free - No Need To Book “One of the most intriguing talents in British dance theatre” Metro
When? Sat 2 14.30, 17.00, 21.30 Sun 3 14.30, 17.00 Where? The Parade Free - No Need To Book
Let’s Get Wet
Factoria Mascaro
This sexy and stylish show, performed in a pool of water, is a favourite of the UK’s outdoor arts festivals. Loved by audiences for their inventive staging, witty choreography and dazzling good looks, Factoria Mascaro have a uniquely Catalan style in which theatrical conventions are turned upside down! 16
The Heliosphere The Dream Engine
When? Sun 3 12.30, 14.00, 16.30 Where? The Parade Free - No Need To Book
Spiralling and spinning and seemingly weightless, an incredible acrobat suspended beneath a giant balloon swoops down to meet members of the public. First seen in 1998, The Heliosphere has been performed in 46 countries around the world to date.
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Right: La Mirada Transparente
How was Imagine Watford for you? Share your festival at: Twitter: @imagine_watford Facebook: facebook.com/imaginewatford Web: www.imaginewatford.co.uk
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Imagine Watford has been created by the Watford Cultural Leaders Group: A festival of extraordinary open air moments
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives. They are working with Watford Borough Council and the Watford Cultural Leaders Group to support arts development in Watford. This includes supporting artists from the East of England to be part of the festival through the regional talent development scheme, Escalator. Escalator enables artists to take their careers to the next level by providing specialist support and mentoring. WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL provides a range of highly rated and popular services for local residents and visitors. These include: household recycling and waste collections; street cleaning; planning support services; award-winning leisure centres, museum and parks; playgrounds; arts and cultural activities and support to the Palace, Colosseum and other organisations in Watford. WATFORD FOR YOU aims to unite the voices of both the public and private sectors, to improve the well-being of everyone who lives, works, visits, employs or seeks to relocate their life or business to Watford and really make it a town ‘everyone can be proud of.’ Visit us at www.watfordforyou.org WATFORD PALACE THEATRE is a local Theatre with a national reputation. The creative hub at the heart of Watford, the Palace engages people through commissioning, creating and presenting high-quality theatre, and developing audiences, artists and communities through exciting opportunities to participate. WARNER BROS. STUDIOS LEAVESDEN is under construction and will provide Warner Bros. with a permanent, state-of-theart UK production base when it opens in 2012. Once complete, Warner Bros. will be the only Hollywood studio to own and operate its own production facility in the UK and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden will be one of the largest studio production facilities anywhere in the world.
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WEST HERTS COLLEGE believes your success is our greatest achievement. Whether it is in work, in life or with your hobbies and passions, we want you to acquire the skills and knowledge to succeed. Rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, our three campuses have professional facilities tailored to the needs of the students at each site. We are the principal sponsor of Francis Combe Academy and you can also study with us through one of our many community links. WATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB was founded in 1881 and has played at its current Vicarage Road home since moving across West Watford from Cassio Road in 1923. Currently in the English Championship, the game’s second tier, the Hornets – as the club is nicknamed – have three times been promoted to the top-flight of domestic football, and also boast an award-winning Community Trust scheme. RIFCO ARTS develops and creates vibrant, accessible and high quality theatre to encourage and engage new and diverse audiences. Our work reflects and celebrates the contemporary British Asian experience with a focus on artistic excellence, new writing and ambitious programming. WATFORD COLOSSEUM is a newly refurbished 1400-seat concert hall in the heart of Watford, selling an exciting and varied programme of events including top name comedy, rock, pop and classical music as well as light entertainment and children’s events, offering a high quality restaurant as well as conferencing and banqueting facilities. THE BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA is one of the country’s most versatile ensembles. For more than half a century it has been the house orchestra for BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night, and gives regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and at the Proms. Its work can be heard on soundtracks to many BBC TV programmes including Blue Planet and ZingZillas. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is one of the largest Local Authority Music Services with over 600 instrumental and vocal teachers teaching over 25,000 children in schools and music centres across the county. We are committed to supporting world class standards in schools, working with all children from the most vulnerable to the most gifted.
Imagine Watford is also supported by: 20
Your day by day guide to festival events and approximate timings A festival of extraordinary open air moments
Mon 20 June
21.45 Act Without Words II (30 mins)
Tue 21 June
21.45 Act Without Words II (30 mins)
Wed 22 June
21.45 Act Without Words II (30 mins)
Thu 23 June 14.00 18.00 20.00 21.45
The Three Belles (30 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) Act Without Words II (30 mins)
Fri 24 June 13.30 14.45 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.00 18.00 18.15 19.30 19.30 20.00 21
3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins)
Sat 25 June 12.30 13.30 14.00 14.00 14.45 15.00 16.00 16.00 16.00 17.00 17.30 17.30 18.15 19.30
Break Da Floorboards (20 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) Break Da Floorboards (20 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) Break Da Floorboards (20 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins)
Festival Information Point
The Festival Information Point is located on the High Street and is open from Mon 20 June to Sun 3 July from 10.00 until 21.00 daily.
01923 225671
www.imaginewatford.co.uk
Sun 26 June 12.00 12.00 12.30 13.30 13.30 14.00 14.00 14.45 15.00 16.00 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.30 18.15 19.30
Big Sing (20 mins) Deception In The Forest (40 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) Big Sing (20 mins) Deception In The Forest (40 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) The Three Belles (30 mins) Deception In The Forest (40 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) La Mirada Transparente (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins)
Mon 27 June 13.30 14.45 16.00 17.00 18.15 19.30
3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins)
Tue 28 June 13.30 14.45 16.00 17.00 18.15 19.30
3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins) 3rd Ring Out (60 mins)
Wed 29 June No Events
Thu 30 June
20.00 Chodzenie–Siberia (60 mins) 21.45 Herbert’s Dream (60 mins)
Fri 1 July
20.30 Chodzenie–Siberia (60 mins) 21.45 Herbert’s Dream (60 mins)
Sat 2 July
11.00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 12.00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 13.00 Seasaw (30 mins) 14.00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 14.30 Let’s Get Wet (60 mins) 15.00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 15.30 Seasaw (30 mins) 16.00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 17,00 BBC Concert Orchestra (20 mins) 17.00 Let’s Get Wet (60 mins) 20.30 Chodzenie–Siberia (60 mins) 21.30 Let’s Get Wet (60 mins)
Sun 3 July
12.30 The Heliosphere (20 mins) 13.00 Seasaw (30 mins) 14.00 The Heliosphere (20 mins) 14.30 Let’s Get Wet (60 mins) 15.30 Seasaw (30 mins) 16.30 The Heliosphere (20 mins) 17.00 Let’s Get Wet (60 mins)
Watford Palace Theatre’s Green Room Bar is open each evening until 23.00 - the ideal place to meet festival artists and other festival goers 22
www.imaginewatford.co.uk