Circus for the 21st century
The Lichfield Festival will be coming to a climactic finish on Saturday 14 July in the city's Beacon Park, with a spectacular outdoor event for all the family.
No Fit State, one of Europe's best contemporary circus companies, brings a whole new meaning to outdoor performance with pyrotechnics, acrobatics and an iconic set by the designer of the opening ceremony for the Sydney Olympics.
Barricade is a stunning new show of highly skilled aerial and acrobatic acts, comedy chases and a breathtaking fire show finale.
As the performance begins people are constructing defences to protect themselves from a storm. They hurry to bring tyres, ladders and other objects to build a barricade, a dramatic aerial playground that sets the scene for a dazzling display of circus skills.
As the wind is rising on Barricade, it becomes a show about bridging the gaps, overcoming the obstacles and dealing with the disturbances that prevent us from being together and obstruct us from achieving our goals.
The impressive set structure has been designed by Dan Potra, who worked on the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Open and Closing Ceremonies, the Sidney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony, and the Liverpool 08 European Capital of Culture Opening Ceremonies.
Through world class circus spectacle, ensemble chaos, pyrotechnics and a brand new live score from the Immortal Orchestra, Barricade invokes a glorious spirit of resistance to empower its people to fight for freedom.
Celebrations in children's songs
The children of Lichfield will be opening this year's Lichfield Festival with new songs they have written and will be performing in Lichfield Cathedral.
The project is called Anthem, and is inspired by the kind of rousing music that we will be hearing later in the month at the 2012 London Olympics.
Each of the schools performing has been given three schools across the world to correspond with. The children compiled questions and interviewed their international peers on topics ranging from school routine and hobbies, to ambitions for the future and things that make them smile.
The schools have shared photographs, poems and video links over the past few months; all of which have been the inspiration for the five new compositions which will be premiered on the night.
The music and lyrics for these new pieces have been written by each respective school choir under the guidance of composer Kate Pearson.
Schools taking part are St Josephs RC Primary, Willows County Primary, Charnwood Primary and Chadsmead Primary Academy, all in Lichfield, and West Hill Primary in Hednesford.
To find out more and to book your tickets, go here.
