The Festival of Wonder kicks off on Friday and tickets for the Gala and two Relaxed Performances are already sold out.
There are still some free tickets available for the opening cabaret ‘Whispers & Wings’ presented by School of Larks on Friday at 8.30pm, and for the Finale event, ‘Circus of the Soul’ on Sunday at 6pm with the Renewal Gospel Choir and special guests.
The centrepiece of the Festival is the specially commissioned circus show ‘The Briar and the Bramble’ featuring world-class circus artists Klodi & Yann (direct from the West End’s ‘Come Alive’), champion juggler Gordon Marquez (returning by popular demand) and fabulous stage magician Marco Cardoso. This year the show features a live band for the first time.
‘The Briar and the Bramble’, which interprets this year’s Festival theme of Finding Wonder in Hidden Nature, will be performed at the sold out Relaxed Performances and Gala (which also features Tweedy the Clown) as well as two free performances at 12 noon and 3pm on Saturday as part of the Free Saturday Community Day.
Other artists performing on the community day include Thomas Trilby, Ambitions Dance, The Magnificent Mr Kai and Painswick Community Choir.
Then, on Saturday and Sunday, there’s the under 5’s play area and a popular craft area where this year big and small kids alike can make their own leaves and other crafts. For those seeking a more refined sense of wonder, a visit to The Secret Garden reflective zone, the Photo Exhibition of Wonder and the interactive Wall of Wonder gives a break from the hustle and bustle of the wider festival.
And once the wonder bug has caught you and you’ve worked up a thirst or an appetite, there’s a free café with hot drinks and cakes and hot food provided on Saturday lunch time by community chef Sam Angelo.
New for this year is a range of workshops on Sunday afternoon in the second venue, the Shambles Hall. There’s FamProv with circus director Andy Bewley, Zoom into Nature with the Stroud Valley Project for ages 6-11, a nature based Creative Writing workshop for teens and adults and the popular School of Larks Circus Skills Workshop which concludes with a showcase at 3.40pm open to all. Bookings are required online; some workshops are free and some have a small charge to cover costs.
‘Wonder in Hidden Nature’ is the title of the unique church service which takes place on Sunday morning at 10.30am and featuring a live worship band and includes spoken word and story-telling, a Bible story interpreted by circus performer Thomas Trilby, juggler Gordon Marquez, story-teller Milly Sinclair and Rev Simon Howell, and an aerial interpretation by School of Lark’s Director Claudia Weston to performance by Gloucester Cathedral Chorister Jenny Sampson. Alternatively, there is an alternative worship service in the Shambles Hall led by IlluminateStroud and Sportily which will include reflective worship as well as optional Bible Journalling and worshipful Pilates.
To add to the wonderful atmosphere, this year the church will be transformed into a woodland wonderland, with hundreds of leaves designed by primary school children from schools across the district.
“The church is currently being transformed into this amazing woodland wonderland, and a huge aerial rig has been erected,” says event organiser Phil Coysh. “This year’s 4th Festival of Wonder is bolder, over two venues on Sunday and again features world-class artists and creatives. Blow the winter blues away with an uplifting visit to this year’s Festival in the warmth and welcome of St Laurence Church.”
Full details, timings and tickets at www.festivalofwonder.org
