Community unites at 432 Fratton as Crying Out Loud's The Point is Portsmouth begins celebrating Portsmouth100

More than 675 people gathered at St Mary's Churchyard for 432 Fratton - a vibrant day of live performance, music and community celebration that brought local people and international artists together in a powerful shared experience.

Presented by Crying Out Loud in partnership with 432 Nomads and Fratton Together, 432 Fratton marked the launch of The Point is Portsmouth, a city-wide cultural programme produced by Crying Out Loud as part of Portsmouth100.

Central to the day was Insane, a large-scale outdoor dance performance by internationally acclaimed Lithuanian artists Šeiko Dance Company, choreographed by Alban Richard. Exploring themes of identity, belonging and human connection, the production united professional performers with 21 local community participants, who spent a week rehearsing alongside the company before performing twice to captivated audiences.

More than simply a performance, Insane embodied the spirit of 432 Fratton - creating opportunities for people to come together, participate and experience something collectively.

One of the community participants, Elisha, commented:

“It was an interesting opportunity to move and dance in a different way, and also a good opportunity to get involved with a community project alongside others with all sorts of international backgrounds.”

A celebration of the creativity, diversity and talent that exists across Portsmouth, 432 Fratton saw families, residents and visitors come together to enjoy performances from local artists including Just Lucy, Kay 9, Rishky and El Salvador Dance, alongside community activities, workshops and food stalls. Local MP Stephen Morgan also delivered the annual Inspiring Fratton Awards.

Lucy Babb, Programme Producer for Crying Out Loud said:

"One of the ambitions of The Point is Portsmouth is to create shared experiences that bring people together in unexpected ways, and 432 Fratton did exactly that. Seeing local participants perform alongside an internationally acclaimed dance company, and watching audiences embrace the day so wholeheartedly, was incredibly special. It was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities and artists collaborate."

432 Fratton, was was on Sunday, June 21, was the first of four events that make up The Point is Portsmouth programme. Through contemporary circus, outdoor performance, immersive installations and community participation, the series of events aims to transform civic, heritage and community spaces in Portsmouth throughout the centenary year.

The Point is Portsmouth continues with three more free events celebrating international collaboration, creativity and participation across the city.

The next event takes place on 17 and 18 July with Circus in Motion. One of the first contemporary outdoor arts events of its kind to take place at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Circus in Motion invites audiences to explore the historic site as performances unfold around them. The evenings will feature contemporary circus, aerial performance and large-scale outdoor spectacle by internationally acclaimed artists from around the globe.

Visitors are encouraged to make an evening of it, exploring performances across the Historic Dockyard while enjoying a selection of street food and refreshments from BaxterStorey.

Gates open at 4.30pm on both evenings and entry is free, although donations are welcome.

Circus in Motion is produced by Crying Out Loud in partnership with Portsmouth Historic Quarter. Supported by Arts Council England, Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth Creates, Normandie Regional Council – Millennium 2027 European Year of The Normans, Ventnor Fringe and the University of Southampton. Sponsored by BaxterStorey.

For more information visit: https://cryingoutloud.org/projects/the-point-is-portsmouth/