Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has been transformed into a stage for an inventive contemporary circus that has wowed crowds with its first performance.
Produced by Crying Out Loud, in partnership with Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has become the spectacular setting for a bill of contemporary circus acts.
The first performance, which took place on Friday, July 17 between 4.30pm and 9.25pm, saw internationally recognised artists create an open-air, walk-through experience entitled Circus in Motion.
This free two-night event brings together world-class artists from the UK, Spain, France and Morocco with acts including Taroo who combines acrobatics, Chinese pole and urban moves, Melic who is an intimate aerial performance using crochet circus rope, and tightwire performer Poppy Plowman.
Spain's Delrevés and Portsmouth-based Aerial Dance Academy are also part of the fabulous lineup, which will take to the dockyard again on Saturday evening (July 18).
Rachel Clare, artistic director of Crying Out Loud, previously said: "As part of The Point Is Portsmouth, we're proud to bring together internationally acclaimed artists with local communities, partners and cultural organisations to create ambitious work that celebrates the city while building new connections, skills and opportunities for the future.
“In celebration of Portsmouth100, we want local people and visitors alike to experience Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in a completely different way. Rather than sitting in one place, audiences are free to roam at their own pace, discovering performances around every corner and spending an evening immersed in contemporary circus in one of the city's most remarkable settings.
“Every performance has been carefully chosen for this extraordinary site, creating moments that simply couldn't happen anywhere else. The Dockyard doesn't simply host Circus in Motion - it becomes part of the performance."
Gates to the free event open at 4.30pm.
1. Circus in Motion, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Circus in Motion at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Pictured is: "Finale" by Delreve's at Storehouse 9. Picture: Sarah Standing (170726-6854) | Sarah Standing
2. Circus in Motion, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Circus in Motion at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Pictured is: "Melic" by If Circus in Boathouse 4. Picture: Sarah Standing (170726-6813) | Sarah Standing
3. Circus in Motion, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Circus in Motion at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Pictured is: "Raindrops on Roses" by Poppy Plowman at Boathouse 5. Picture: Sarah Standing (170726-4540) | Sarah Standing
4. Circus in Motion, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Circus in Motion at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Pictured is: "Melic" by If Circus in Boathouse 4. Picture: Sarah Standing (170726-4431) | Sarah Standing