One of the largest Aerial and Physical Theatre Festival’s outside London, returns to Birmingham for an impressive 12 days featuring jaw dropping athletic performances, national and international circus artists and industry masterclasses from world class teachers.
Running across 12 days the 7th annual TILT Festival is produced by the city’s acclaimed RoguePlay Theatre whose skills will be featured in the forthcoming opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
It will take place indoors and outdoors at the West Midlands Circus and Creation Centre in Digbeth, as well as in person classes delivered online from the UK and internationally.
Audiences to this year’s Festival can look forward to Tilted Circus Night (5 August) an evening of absolutely stunning live circus and physical theatre featuring the Festival’s Artistic Director and Producer Kim Wildborne and performers from all over the world. This popular night of short performances and brand-new shows also features the world renowned, highly skilled straps and acrobalance performer ‘Boldo’; aerial contortion hip hop joy of Jordi Campbell from the USA and aerial artist and actress Anna Simpson from the East Midlands who makes her TILT Festival debut.
A special family day will take place on 6 August providing young children, parents and guardians with an exciting day of performances and audience participation. The family day sees Jules Verne’s classic Around The World In 80 Days given a modern twist in a colourful acrobatic adventure, sensitively introducing young audiences to environmental issues. The performance is followed by a workshop for babies, toddlers, and everyone in between!
Immediately following, audiences are invited to stay for Fairy Dust Party a brand new outdoor interactive playful piece for children aged 3-10 years and their grown-ups, performed and facilitated by a diverse collective of emerging LGBTQ+ artists. The funky non-binary fairies will lead the children on an interactive playful adventure as they transform into different characters whilst using a variety of artforms, song, dance, physical theatre and spoken word before erupting into a disco party. Part of Birmingham 2022 Festival and supported by Birmingham City Council and Midland Arts Centre.
Happening straight after Fairy Dust Party is Parent and Child Aerial for all those with children 0-5yrs and their parents, carers and families. Risky Play has endless benefits for children and parents alike, challenging young ones to push their limits, explore their bodies and take risks in a safe environment. TILT's Risky Play Aerial sessions explore the elements of height and speed. A workout for adults and a wonderful aerial experience for parents, guardians, carers and children 0-5yrs. Great for building children's confidence, contributing to cognitive development and a lovely way to meet like-minded parents.
New to the Festival in 2022 is TILTED Film Festival. TILTED is dedicated to the creation and fostering of inclusive aerial dance particularly highlighting marginalised voices and underrepresented women. Creating a more equitable and inclusive dance and circus field for all, TILTED aims to create opportunities for artists, and engage audiences both on and offline via hybrid programming, including the TILT Aerial Dance Film Festival.
Kim Wildborne TILT Festival’ Artistic Director and Producer commented: “There really is no other Festival of its kind in the Midlands and we’re extremely excited to be bringing it back for its 7th edition this year both online and in person. It’s great that we are working once again with some of the industry’s most experienced circus artists who never cease to amaze our audiences who return year on year.”
As well as public performances there will be industry master-classes and workshops running across the Festival including My Aerial Dictionary designed for all level students and those teaching who are keen to develop their understanding of the muscular and skeletal systems of the body, and how it affects their training.
TILT Festival runs from Monday 1 August - Friday 12 August 2022. For full programme details and information on how to book (those wishing to attend free events will still need to book online) please go to https://www.tiltfestival.com/
Acknowledging the support of Arts Council England TILT Festival will take place at West Midlands Circus and Creative Centre, Minerva Works, Digbeth and is in easy walking distance from Birmingham Coach Station, Birmingham Moor Street Station and Birmingham New Street Station.
