Residents and visitors are being urged to save the dates as Basingstoke Festival will be returning this month with a packed programme of arts in unusual places that is sure to brighten up their summer.

Running from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, July 10, Basingstoke Festival will bring free outdoor theatrical productions, breath-taking street theatre and music and dance performances to the town.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is putting the finishing touches to the festival programme including acts such as Roll Play by Simple Cypher, an outdoor production full of explosive tricks and artful dexterity where performers blur the boundaries between hip hop and circus through a series of captivating and playful interactions challenging identity, status and societal roles.

Altered States will present The Invisible Man, a new strolling interactive street theatre performance using a mixture of magic, puppetry and audio-visual projection and offering people the chance to come face to face with the man who isn’t there. The performance promises “a living, breathing science experiment gone wrong”.

Also in the line-up is Distant Drums, a dynamic and thought-provoking experience that tells the story of Reggae Sound System culture and its role in the fight for racial equality. Sound System was born in the ghettos of Jamaica, shipped to the UK aboard the Windrush and now transmitted across the globe.

And LAStheatre will present The Rascally Diner, a joyful outdoor performance for families that creatively and playfully explores the joy of food and where it comes from, as well as our food choices and their impact on the environment, in a messy, silly and fantastic production set to delight all.

More events and performances are also being planned with local artists and businesses throughout the town centre.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Simon Bound said: “This year’s Basingstoke Festival is shaping up to be one of the best yet with a fantastic fortnight of street theatre, dance, art and much more.

“Satisfy your curiosity with a range of talented artists exploring topics such as climate change and racial equality while celebrating the best of Basingstoke and Deane on our doorstep.

“There really is something for everyone so don’t miss your chance to experience magical moments with all the family this summer. Please keep an eye on the Basingstoke Festival website and social media to avoid disappointment.”

Basingstoke Festival is a partner in Without Walls, working with festivals and artists to bring fantastic outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across the UK.

For more information on Basingstoke Festival and how to take part, visit www.basingstokefestival.co.uk or follow @BasingstokeFestival on Facebook and @BstokeFestival on Twitter and Instagram.

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