Six Summer Saturdays to Return to the Birmingham Hippodrome, Beginning August 11

Birmingham Hippodrome's exciting Six Summer Saturdays returns to the streets of Birmingham this Saturday (11 August) following a short break to make way for the Olympics.

Inspired by London 2012, SIX SUMMER SATURDAYS, now in its third year, presents over 40 performances in ten locations across the city and features an incredible eleven new commissions – all for free!

The special commissions include; Zoe's Magic Camera, an exciting and interactive trail using a free new iphone app available now on the App store; the acclaimed International Dance Festival Birmingham choreographer Rosie Kay who has created a new dance piece, Mailbox Steps; The Voyage Exhibition featuring images and film from 12 photographers and 10 film makers taken at the city's recent outdoor spectacular The Voyage in celebration of the London 2012 Festival.

SIX SUMMER SATURDAYS will provide shoppers and visitors to Birmingham city centre with the chance to enjoy some very exciting live performances. And if people are staying in the city longer they can plan their day to enjoy a whole range of free outdoor events.

SIX SUMMER SATURDAYS is free and runs on 11, 18 and 25 August culminating in a two day celebratory finale over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Performances take place in public spaces across the city including, Southside's Birmingham Hippodrome piazza and The Arcadian Centre; Victoria Square; Chamberlain Square; High Street, The Mailbox, Brindleyplace Central Square and Oozells Square.

New to this year is the Six Summer Saturdays Hub in The Mailbox where the public can find information on the season, details are also available on the website at www.sixsummersaturdays.com.

SIX SUMMER SATURDAYS is supported by Arts Council England, Southside BID, The Arcadian Centre, The Mailbox and European Regional Development Fund.

SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2012
The Reds – Natural Theatre Company
New Street, The Mailbox, Birmingham Hippodrome Piazza
1.45pm, 3.30pm, 6.45pm
Like a sculptural flash mob, these brightly coloured characters, painted entirely red, turn up in the most unusual of places! Often leaving the audience bemused, amused and more of than not, chatting amongst strangers, this incomparable happening will have you seeing red!

The Whale – Talking Birds
Brindleyplace
1 – 5pm
Enter the jaws of a giant silver whale for an unforgettable three minute adventure hosted by a lovesick submariner who proceeds to serenade you with his songs from the sea, you may even leave with a gift!

Hinterland – Mercurial Dance
Birmingham Hippodrome Plaza
1.30pm, 4.30pm
This stunningly physical dance piece leads the audience to an imaginary physical place where characters meet, play with danger and act out their imaginary world.

Turbo Jonez – Reckless Invention
High Street
2pm, 3.30pm
Turbo Jonez brings you the history of 80's rap and break-dance told direct from the streets of Cardiff!

Sink Dancing – Lucid Incident
The Mailbox
1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Lucid productions are bringing tap dancing back to the streets! This unusual performance unfolds with unexpected twists, turns and time-stepping.

The Princess & The Maharajah – Nutkhut
New Street
1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm
Colourful and flamboyant long legged characters mix performance, dance, film participation and British comedic sensibility and eccentricity in an engaging and hilarious performance.

SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 2012
If Only I Could – Pippa Frith and Thomas Wildish
The Arcadian
12pm – 6pm
This participatory circus project specially commissioned for Six Summer Saturdays is born out of a series of workshops with members of the public. Workshops have led to a collaborative performance whereby the participants newly developed skills are woven into an exciting new piece of theatre alongside professional performers.

The Quiet Men – Being Frank Physical Theatre
The Mailbox
2pm, 4pm
Two men have aspirations to bring peace and love to the world whilst creating change for the betterment of mankind; their intentions are good but their methods are opposed. This physical performance is an entertaining exploration of two men exploring their ideology.

The Caravan Show – The Bone Ensemble
Brindleyplace
1pm – 5pm
The Caravan Show is an intimate, playful, participatory performance for all the family set in a small touring caravan featuring weird and wonderful happenings including aliens in the fridge, games in the cupboard and what's that stirring in the sleeping bag!?

NoFit State Circus
The Arcadian/ The Mailbox
1-5pm/ 1pm, 3pm, 6.30pm
Following on from their fantastically successful appearance as part of last year's Six Summer Saturdays, the circus is back in town with a performance that will leave audiences with their mouths wide.

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 2012
Time for Tea – Wet Picnic
Arcadian
1.30pm, 3.30pm, 6pm
Tea Ladies sweep through the streets to supply an explosive and surreal teatime for everyone to enjoy with tantalising tea trollies, stiff upper lips and one big fat cow!

Poste de Resistance – Jilted Pig
The Mailbox
1pm, 3pm, 6.30pm
In a time of social change, two revolutionary postal workers have been forced underground in a bid to keep the magic of post alive. Audiences are invited to join them in their unexpected world in an inventive and interactive performance.

The Sir Tom Jones Experience – Cocoloco
Birmingham Hippodrome Piazza
2pm, 5pm, 6.30pm
This portable karaoke experience will leave you panting – bring spare knickers to throw at Tom whilst you sing along!

Gentlemen of the Road – The Chipolatas
The Arcadian
2pm, 4pm
Three actors/ musicians /clowns flow seamlessly together in a celebratory performance where circus meets theatre and live music is played.

SUNDAY 26 AUGUST
The Best Thing – Cocoloco
Birmingham Hippodrome Piazza
1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm
In this exclusive one person audience show the participant is invited to experience 'The Best Thing'- expect suprises, treats and the unknown!

Smashed – Gandini Juggling
Chamberlain Square
1pm, 3.30pm
Smashed is a theatre-dance-juggling piece by 9 highly accomplished performers from across Europe featuring precise juggling and theatre in one not-to-be-missed performance.

Gentlemen of the Road – The Chipolatas
Chamberlain Square
2.30pm, 4.30pm
Three actors/ musicians /clowns flow seamlessly together in a celebratory performance where circus meets theatre and live music is played.

Time for Tea – Wet Picnic
Chamberlain Square
12pm, 3pm, 5.15pm
Tea Ladies sweep through the streets to supply an explosive and surreal teatime for everyone to enjoy with tantalising tea trollies, stiff upper lips and one big fat cow!

Pest Control – Jilted Pig
Chamberlain Square
12.30pm, 4pm

 

 

 

 

 

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