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Take a look at our spectacular summer programme of free Outdoor Arts in Newbury

A group of people stood on grey towers against a blue sky

We're transforming Newbury’s town centre into a stage this summer as part of our outdoor arts programme. 

This free programme features daring physical performances and heartwarming theatre presented outdoors throughout the day and into the evening. A super-charged reimagining of Motionhouse's iconic show, BLOCK (Sun 21 Jun) launches the programme of events with its gravity-defying physical performance. The innovative set, featuring 20 oversized blocks will line Newbury’s Market Place resembling giant Jenga pieces. Skilled performers interact with these blocks using aerial dance-circus, creating a striking metaphor for the challenges and contradictions of urban city life in this bold, large-scale outdoor performance. 

A grey tower made of blocks of concrete with people standing in the holes leaning out
Image Credit: Gavin Joynt
A group of people stood on grey towers against a blue sky
A grey tower made of blocks of concrete with people standing in the holes in front of a large audience

Internationally renowned dance theatre company ADHOK presents Watchful (Sat 25 Jul), a theatrical tribute to growing old together. This retrospective and heart-warming outdoor performance charts a couple’s journey from their early twenties through the decades of their life together. To accompany the performance, local dance artists and theatre professionals can train with ADHOK at 101 Outdoor Arts on Greenham Business Park for a 4-day residential summer school, The Language of Dance Theatre Outdoors (Mon 27 – Thu 30 Jul). 

101 Outdoor Arts, part of the Corn Exchange, Newbury is the National Centre for Arts in Public Space providing residency and training opportunities for the Outdoor Arts sector nationally and internationally.

We are delighted to be bringing another rambunctious programme of incredible outdoor performances to Newbury this year starting with Motionhouse's BLOCK in June and ADHOK's Watchful in July, each show bringing different character, energy and style. Gather up your grandparents, children and neighbours and bring them along to see some outdoor magic! There’s plenty more to look out for later in the year with exciting performances from Rara Woulib in September and our annual Festival of Light in December.

Danielle Corbishley Head of 101 and Outdoor Programmes

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