Birmingham 2022 Festival to officially open with spectacular free production WONDROUS STORIES
Photo credit: Dan Tucker
In just 100 days, the Birmingham 2022 Festival will burst to life in the heart of Birmingham city centre with a free spectacular outdoor production featuring a cast of over 300 performers.
On 17 March 2022, Wondrous Stories, by world renowned and Leamington Spa based dance-circus company, Motionhouse, will open in Centenary Square with free performances every evening until 20 March 2022.
New imagery released today gives a hint at the spectacle that will await audiences as aerialists and dancers take to the skies above the public square and giant set pieces, such as a flying book, hover over the skyline.
Wondrous Stories will be created and directed by Motionhouse’s Artistic Director Kevin Finnan MBE, who was choreographer and movement director of the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony. Kevin is joined by a team of artistic collaborators including Birmingham-based choreographers Sonia Sabri and Jamaal Burkmar, spoken word artists Raza Hussain and Sebbie Mudhai, composer Sophy Smith and digital artists Logela Multimedia.
Kevin Finnan said: “Today marks a milestone in the countdown to Wondrous Stories coming to life in the heart of Birmingham city centre. We've started working on the different elements of the show and are excited to see this incredibly ambitious production come to life.”
Wondrous Stories will also feature Choir with No Name Birmingham, a unique choir involving people who have experienced homelessness, or are simply going through a tough time in their lives.
The production will also feature participants from Critical Mass, a new inclusive dance collective of up to 300 young people, led by Birmingham 2022 Festival and DanceXchange. Critical Mass will form part of the large cast of the production, performing alongside the professional Motionhouse performers as well as choirs, actors and poets. A limited number of places are still available for young people aged 18-30 who are dance confident to be a part of Critical Mass, with more information here.
Running from March to September 2022 as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Birmingham 2022 Festival will feature hundreds of creative commissions across the region, benefitting hundreds of artists and thousands of participants, communities and audiences.
Executive Producer for Birmingham 2022 Festival, Raidene Carter, said: “It is incredibly exciting to be approaching our opening night. We have been working hard with the region’s exceptional talent for almost two years to build a programme that truly shines a global spotlight on creativity right here in the West Midlands. I can’t wait to share all that the festival has to offer with the world as a part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Members of the public can click here to find out more about other highlights of the festival and sign up to be amongst the first to discover the full programme when it is unveiled in early 2022.
