Contemporary circus performs at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Final preparations are underway to transform Portsmouth Historic Dockyard into an extraordinary open-air stage as internationally acclaimed contemporary circus artists arrive in the city.

Presented by Crying Out Loud and hosted by Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Circus in Motion forms part of The Point Is Portsmouth, Crying Out Loud's contribution to Portsmouth100. Alongside a programme of public events, The Point Is Portsmouth creates opportunities for international collaboration, artist development and community participation across the city.

Taking place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July, from 4.30pm to 9.25pm, this free two-night event brings together world-class artists from the UK, Spain, France and Morocco.

Visitors are invited to experience one of Britain's most iconic maritime heritage destinations in a completely new way, with breathtaking performances unfolding across the Dockyard throughout the evening. With no set route or fixed seating, audiences are free to explore the site at their own pace, discovering spectacular moments around every corner.

What visitors can expect

Outside Boathouse 4, Company Zid will perform Taroo, combining acrobatics, Chinese pole and urban moves, the work tells stories from streets across the world. Performed and created by Moroccan free runner, stage director, actor and stuntman Said Mouhssine.

Step inside Boathouse 4 to see Spanish company If Circus presenting Melic, an intimate aerial performance using crochet circus rope that has been woven by members of the local community to celebrate knitting traditions and the stories carried in every stitch.

Those looking to become part of the action can volunteer for Spanish street theatre company OSADÍA’s internationally renowned interactive performance Whose Hair Dares, where extraordinary live hair sculptures inspired by the sea will transform willing participants into walking works of art.

Nearby, UK contemporary circus artist Poppy Plowman will present a captivating tightwire performance exploring balance, resilience and human connection.

Each evening, Spain's Delrevés, the internationally acclaimed vertical dance company, will transform the walls of Storehouse 9 into a spectacular stage with its award-winning production Finale, where gravity-defying performers scale the walls and dance high above the audience.

Portsmouth-based Aerial Dance Academy will also present a series of performances throughout Saturday, showcasing the talent of its students and trainers. Their demonstrations celebrate the creativity and talent that exists within Portsmouth, building on the creative exchange taking place between local performers and international artists throughout the programme.

Visitors can make an evening of the event, with delicious street food and refreshments available to purchase throughout both nights from event sponsor BaxterStorey.

Rachel Clare, Artistic Director of Crying Out Loud, said: "After months of planning, it's hard to believe Circus in Motion is now just days away. 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 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, French Institute in the UK Institut Ramon Llull, Ventnor Fringe and the University of Southampton. Sponsored by BaxterStorey.

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