Theatre festival to take place on the Downs this summer

An ambitious vision to host a theatre festival on the Downs is set to become a reality this summer, with the launch of The Mix.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Wardrobe Ensemble, the new venue situated at Breaking Bread will showcase a varied local lineup – from circus and poetry to new twists on old classics – and seeks to create opportunities for artists in the region.

Launching on August 7, the festival will run until October 2. As part of the project, The Wardrobe Ensemble is offering a new commission of £10,000 for an artist or company based in the South West to develop a new piece of theatre.

The Downs is already home to the successful Breaking Bread pop-up food and drink venue for the second year running and played host to Bristol Comedy Garden in June.

The Mix opens on the Downs this summer – image courtesy of The Wardrobe Ensemble

The Mix was designed by Studio Three Sixty and the group of theatre artists who comprise The Wardrobe Ensemble say it is the biggest thing they have ever tried to pull off.

“We started talking about this idea at the end of last summer as we imagined what might come next for theatre,” say the collective.

“We knew that the thing we wanted to do the most was to make a new show and perform it to live audiences, and we thought that other companies in the South West might want that too.

“So, we created this very ambitious project which has had many different permutations along the way as we tried to wrangle it into being. We are so excited (and a little bit scared) to finally announce it and make it happen. This is the biggest thing The Wardrobe Ensemble has ever tried to pull off and we still need help.

“Please do get in touch if you feel able to support us. And if you are a South West artist with something that you think might work at the theatre on the Downs, let us know – we are still programming the space and want to fill it with as much exciting work as possible.”

Tickets for the first shows at The Mix are now on sale, with more theatre, circus, poetry, family shows to be announced.

Following a launch party spectacular, featuring game show The Wardrobe Ensemble’s wheel of fortune and much more, the festival will kick off with a world premiere of The Wardrobe Ensemble’s WINNERS.

Wild Swimming by FullRogue is one of the show on the lineup this summer –  photo by Chelsey Cliff

In their own inimitable style, this new show explores capitalism and tracks the shift of labour in the history of food from farming to fast food. Directed by Jesse Jones (Death Drop, West End) and Helena Middleton (Education, Education, Education, West End), WINNERS is billed as “a rollicking and fantastical look at manipulation, monopoly and money, capitalism and currency”.

Alongside the £10,000 commission on offer, the successful artist or company will have the option of a programming slot in September and receive one-to-one sessions with members of The Wardrobe Ensemble to support the next steps. There are also more opportunities to be part of the programme.

Applications for the commission can be made via www.theateonthedowns.co.uk/commission. For further opportunities and information, visit www.theatreonthedowns.co.uk.

The Theatre on the Downs is supported by The Wardrobe Theatre, Arts Council England, Backstage Trust and WECA, with ticketing in association with Bristol Old Vic.

Tickets are available via www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on.

Main image: Sarah Hickson

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