EVENT PROGRAMME 12-5PM, 4 AUGUST 2018 LYME VALLEY PARK

EVENT PROGRAMME 12-5PM, 4 AUGUST 2018 LYME VALLEY PARK

ROLL UP, ROLL UP! ABOUT THE EVENT Inspired by the astonishing acts, activities and acrobats that made Astley s Amphitheatre so famous across the globe, AstleyFest brings the circus home to Newcastle-under-Lyme to celebrate the man who first made it happen over 250 years ago. AstleyFest celebrates the life and times of the father of modern day circus, Philip Astley, in his home town of Newcastleunder-Lyme. AstleyFest is a free and fabulous fun day out as Astley s astounding life is celebrated and brought to life in Lyme Valley Park. AstleyFest features a range of daring talent entering the ring including circus performances, horse shows, military displays, hands-on activities, and much more. There will be a tasty range of food stalls and stacks of fun ways to find out more about the man and myth of Philip Astley. Children and adults alike will love clowning around, trying their hand at circus skills and seeing awe-inspiring circus acts. AstleyFest is proud to be showing the premiere of New Vic Theatre s performance of Roll Up, Roll Up, a brand-new show about Philip Astley developed with local writers, performers and choir members. AstleyFest promises to offer a knockout punch of quality entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Kat Evans, Staffordshire University 2

AstleyFest is delivered by: 3

ASTLEYFEST SCHEDULE 12-5PM Time Show/activity Show length Performance area 11:30am Procession of flags to AstleyFest 30 mins Newcastle Town Centre 12:00pm Circus workshops ongoing Astley Activity Circle 12:00pm Astley's Astounding Adventures Cast 30 mins Walkabout 12:00pm The Stilt Ringmaster 30 mins Walkabout 12:10pm Van Buren's Magic of Astley 30 mins Van Buren Stage 12:30pm The Jesters 30 mins Walkabout 12:40pm Big and Little Display 20 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 1:00pm Roll Up, Roll Up (includes a 15 min curtain-raiser by New Vic Youth Theatre) 40 mins Circus Tent 1:00pm Thingamabob 30 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 1:30pm The Stilt Ringmaster 30 mins Walkabout 1:30pm The Jesters 30 mins Walkabout 1:40pm 2:00pm Miniature Shetland Liberty Display Coldstream Guards soldier and firing drills 20 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 20 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 4

Time Show/activity Show length Performance area 2:20pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 3:00pm Van Buren's Magic of Astley Astley s Astounding Adventures cast Harley - The Educated Pony Roll Up, Roll Up (includes a 15 min curtain-raiser by New Vic Youth Theatre) 30 mins Van Buren Stage 30 mins Walkabout 20 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 40 mins Circus Tent 3:00pm The Stilt Ringmaster 30 mins Walkabout 3:00pm Thingamabob 30 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 3:30pm The Jesters 30 mins Walkabout 4:00pm 4:00pm Coldstream Guards soldier and firing drills Astley's Astounding Adventures Cast 20 mins Astley's 42ft Ring 30 mins Walkabout 4:20pm Circus Sensible Show 40 mins Circus Tent 4:30pm Thingamabob 30 mins Astley's 42ft Ring All information is correct at the time of printing and may be subject to change without prior notice. 5

Leopold s Equestrian Productions Leopold s Equestrian Productions bring 3 exquisite equine displays to entertain the crowds. These include: everyone s favourite, Miniature Shetland Liberty Display which involves four cheeky Miniature Shetlands who like to show off how clever they are with all of their favourite tricks; Big and Little Display, a horse and pony working together which certainly has the aww factor; and finally, Harley - The Educated Pony who can say yes and no, count, add up and much more. Find Leopold s Equestrian Productions on Facebook and Instagram under Leopold s Equestrian. The Stilt Ringmaster by Artizani Towering above the public, the stilt walking Ringmaster is a larger than life character who brings colour and spectacle to AstleyFest with his fabulous costume and quick witted banter. This is a walkabout act but you ll be unlikely to miss him! 12:00pm / 1:30pm / 3:00pm (lasts 30 mins) 12:40pm Big and Little Display (lasts 20 mins) 1:40pm Miniature Shetland Liberty Display (lasts 20 mins) 2:30pm Harley The Educated Pony (lasts 20 mins) Did you know? Philip Astley was a master horseman and wrote books on Equestrianism. 6

Coldstream Guards 1815 To celebrate Astley s military life, the Coldstream Guards 1815 bring to life what it was like to be a soldier in the same period as Astley. The Coldstream Guards is a Napoleonic re-enactment group, that seek to portray Number 6 Company, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards as it would have been at the time of the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Meet the soldiers, visit their living history encampment, watch the soldiers drills and firing demonstrations and even learn a drill in a children drill session. The Jesters The Jesters is a mix and mingle acrobatic walkabout act in beautiful, extremely high quality, antique-style Jesters costumes. 12:30pm / 1:30pm / 3:30pm (lasts 30 mins) Soldier and firing drills 2:00pm / 4:00pm (lasts 20 mins) Children drill sessions 12:30pm / 2:30pm / 3:30pm Did you know? At age 17, Philip joined the 15th Light Dragoons Cavalry and he also fought in the Seven Years War. 7

Astley s Astounding Adventures Cast Characters from the New Vic s world premiere production of Astley s Astounding Adventures will be out and about at AstleyFest. You may even meet Philip Astley himself! These entertaining characters will be wandering about so keep a look out! Astley s Astounding Adventures is the New Vic s most ambitious show ever. Filled with fast-paced action, humour, gripping drama and breath-taking circus spectacle, it tells the story of our town s hero who became the international impresario who invented circus and conquered the world! Van Buren s Magic of Astley Andrew Van Buren & Allyson portray Lord George Sanger & Ellen the last proprietors of Philip Astley s Amphitheatre. Bringing to life the legacy of Astley through their mutual love of magic this show tells the tale of Philip Astley through the eyes of the Victorian Showman. With magic, mystery and prestidigitation, this is a show for all the family. 12:10pm / 2:20pm (lasts 30 mins) 12:00pm / 2:30pm / 4:00pm (lasts 30 mins) Did you know? When Philip Astley was born in 1742, Newcastle-under-Lyme was a thriving market town. Astley s father was a cabinet maker. 8

Roll Up, Roll Up Written by Katharine Boon Directed by Ruth Carney Roll Up, Roll Up is a heart-warming story inspired by Philip Astley about following your dreams and believing in yourself. Performed by a community company and choir, this fun, vibrant play will take families of all ages on a journey to celebrate the wonder of circus with laughter, song and characters that you ll fall in love with! Tickets FREE - can be booked in advance by calling New Vic Box Office on 01782 717962 This show has limited capacity. A number of places will be available on the day based on a first-come, first-served basis. Roll Up, Roll Up was commissioned as part of the New Vic s Circus Past, Present and Future season - an ambitious project celebrating our town s heritage and Newcastle-under-Lyme born father of modern circus, Philip Astley. For further information visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk/circus250 1:00pm / 3:00pm (Roll Up, Roll Up lasts 25 mins + a 15 min curtain-raiser by New Vic Youth Theatre) Thingamabob - PanGottic Circus Theatre With an internationally renowned blend of circus, invention and humour, PanGottic brings to life a giant ball slinging, self-exploding piece of hand-crafted gadgetry, inspired by the famous Rube Goldberg machines and Heath Robinson contraptions. Be part of the mayhem as our intrepid inventor risks nerve wracking failure to bring you one perfect chain reaction with some help from his little assistant. 1:00pm / 3:00pm / 4:30pm (lasts 30 mins) Did you know? When Philip set his performances in a 42 ft diameter ring he set the World Standard that is still used today. By the end of his days Philip had built and rebuilt 19 amphitheatres. 9

Circus Sensible Circus Sensible is a fun feel-good comedy circus show where some very super talented yet silly performers present a fabulously funny show featuring, juggling, magic, clowning and more. 4.20pm (lasts 40 mins) Circus Sensible will be leading some circus workshops in the Astley Activity Circle during the day. Astley-Inspired Workshops and activities Throughout the day there will be a number of fun and exciting activities and workshops taking place in our Astley Activity Circle. Some activities include: Diablo Hula Hoops Juggling Plate Spinning Face painting Banner Design Astley Treasure Hunt A full schedule and listing of activities will be available on our website prior to the event and also on the day of the event. Please visit www.appetitestoke.co.uk/whatson/ astleyfest for further information. We want you to go home knowing a little bit more about the father of modern circus, Philip Astley. So keep your eyes peeled for lots of bite-size information about Astley s life and see how much you can remember by the end of the day. You may even be able to find out more information on the day by speaking to the Coldstream Guards or Philip Astley himself (not the real one but someone dressed up as him). 10

The Philip Astley Project is supported by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund and generously sponsored by local businesses. The Philip Astley Project is managed by Staffordshire University on behalf of a steering group of local heritage, arts, education and statutory organisations: 11

12-5PM, 4 AUGUST 2018 LYME VALLEY PARK ROLL UP, ROLL UP! For more information on The Philip Astley Project and upcoming events, visit our website: www.philipastley.org.uk Follow us and share our news #ThePhilipAstleyProject #AstleyFest Contact us Project enquiries: carmel.thomason@staffs.ac.uk Media enquiries: Andrew Van Buren avanburen@aol.com AstleyFest enquiries: askus@appetitestoke.co.uk or 01782 381373