05 August 2010
Cumbrian outdoor arts shows seen by audience of over
12,000
Thousands of people enjoyed a series of exciting and unusual
outdoor performances across Cumbria during the last 10
days.
Five different events, which were organised by Lakes Alive in
eleven places across Cumbria, were seen by an audience of over
12,000 people. Lakes Alive is a four year programme of
inspirational outdoor events across Cumbria to help celebrate the
London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games coming to the
UK.
Julie Tait, the director of Kendal Arts International (KAI) who,
along with Manchester International Arts, organises Lakes Alive,
says: “We’ve been delighted by the number of people who turned out
for the events - which exceeded all expectations - and also by
fantastic responses of the audiences. As well as really
enjoying the shows, people clearly loved the atmosphere that the
performances created. What these 10 days have shown is that
there is a real appetite for good quality outdoor arts in
Cumbria.”
Research by Lakes Alive shows that more than 75% of people at
the shows were there especially to see the events and the response
of the audiences was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
Local catering and accommodation businesses reported an increase
in business in the run up to and during the events.
Julie Tait says: “Putting on 5 shows in 10 days has been a huge
logistical exercise but everything has gone incredibly smoothly
thanks to the support we’ve had from all our funders, Manchester
International Arts, the volunteers and the team at Kendal Arts
International. We’re now looking forward to welcoming
audiences back for events on Maryport on 30 August and Mintfest in
Kendal on 2-5 September.”
The events got underway on 23 & 24th July with 2 sell out
performances of Titanic at Carlisle Castle. The show by German
company Theater Titanick, which was seen by 1300 people, included,
fireworks shooting into the sky, sparks flying and 35,000
litres of water cascading across the
stage.
Starting on 26th July, The Cabaret of Dr Caligari, by Artizani, a
fantastical and surreal cabaret, with music, dancing and comedy
visited Silloth, Cockermouth, Workington, Muncaster, Egremont and
Millom, before rounding off its tour at the Lake District Visitor
Centre at Brockhole.
From 28th to 30th July, modern streets arts came to the Cumbrian
Forests, with the 3-day Into the Woods Tour. Amazing
creatures appeared from behind trees, actors and story-tellers
popped up from nowhere and crowds flocked to see an amazing 30 foot
inflatable pig!
On Saturday evening, about 4000 people joined the Banquet at
Cockermouth, a free carnival-style fete, with dancing, fireworks
and some of the best outdoor entertainers from across Europe.
Table and chairs were laid out in the centre of Cockermouth so
visitors could bring their own picnics to eat as they enjoyed the
entertainment.
On Sunday Penrith hosted a puppet festival, with strolling
trolls, life size puppets, talking vegetables and intricate
marionettes. The event was attended by approximately 3000
people.
One of the highlights of the day was an extraordinary show by
contemporary French puppeteers Delit de Façade. Set in the 6
windows of the local Mind shop, which had been specially removed
for the performance, audiences got a peek into the lives of 2 very
different families of spitting images type puppets. In return
for their help with putting on the show, Lakes Alive donated £400
to Eden Mind to spend on a new arts room.
Lakes Alive is one of the three Annual Legacy Programmes
commissioned by the Legacy Trust UK for WE PLAY, the Northwest
cultural legacy programme for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games. It is being sponsored by the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA) and has also received funding from Arts
Council England, the Northern Rock Foundation and all the councils
in Cumbria.
Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the NWDA,
said: “The events held as part of Lakes Alive have delivered
something really special to what is already a world-class
destination for tourists. This imaginative programme has gone from
strength to strength, involving hundreds of performers and artists
from across the globe, attracting significant audiences and
generating millions for the local economy in visitor spend.
It’s a real example of how the Northwest is using London 2012 as a
catalyst to build a lasting cultural legacy for the region.”
On Monday 30th August Maryport will welcome Les Commondos Percu,
masters of percussion and rhythmic drumming, who will perform Bombs
per Minute an extravaganza of sound, light and fire.
A vibrant mix of performers from around the world will appear at
Mintfest 2010 in Kendal, Cumbria from Thursday September 2 until
Sunday September 5, the climax to the Lakes Alive season of events
in Cumbria.
Commandos Percu return to Cumbria to will open Mintfest on
Thursday September 2.
Another of this year’s highlights will be a stunning performance
by Luc Amoros from France. Their show Blank Page takes place
on a giant scaffolded canvas made up of individual squares around
which six young singers and artists create a remarkable evening
event.
An exhilarating fresh fusion of live music, performance and
visual art, the show uses almost 300 kilograms of paint and 360
square metres of plastic film to create, destroy and recreate
unique art works, which reflect on shared histories that have
shaped the world we live in.
Ponten Pie from Spain will be setting up Copacabana, a
restaurant with a difference in K Village – The Lakes Outlet.
The innovative company have been described as creating a new
performing arts language merging theatre, gastronomy and cabaret,
in which the audience become part of the show.
You can find out more information about Lakes Alive by visiting
www.lakesalive.org or
joining the Lakes Alive Facebook group.
Ends
For media information please contact Paul Gardner or Karen
Gardner on 01524-782086.