Roll up roll up for Saturday 26 June, The Homecoming returns for a thrilling day of outdoor circus taking place right here in the home of modern circus itself, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Back for 2021, The Homecoming celebrates the legacy of local legend Philip Astley ‘founder of the modern circus’ in a day of free, family friendly pop-up contemporary performance outdoors in the town centre.
Be amazed, entertained and wowed as gravity is tested, a giant egg-venture unfolds, there’s some hilarious clowning around and projectile-blasting contraptions get rolled into place, all on your high street.
This year to ensure our performances are COVID safe please help us by observing social distancing where you can, sanitising hands regularly, wearing a mask when appropriate and not attending if you have any COVID symptoms. Please check in to the nearest Track and Trace. View our full COVID-Safe Visitor Guidance here.
The Homecoming has been developed and delivered by Newcastle BID (Business Improvement District) in partnership with Appetite and is supported by Newcastle Borough Council. To find out more, follow The Homecoming on Facebook or visit Newcastle BID’s website.
Check out the video from The Homecoming ’19 here.
The Line-Up
Main Event Times: 10.30am to 4.30pm
Event Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre
Loaded
by PanGottic
Are you ready for take off? Or are you in the firing zone? Hold on to the seat of your pants as PanGottic bring their latest projectile-blasting, air-powered extravaganza out of the workshop and onto the streets. Locked? Loaded.
Honeymoon Balloon
by Gary and Pel
Gary and Pel have two tickets to paradise and are about to embark on their first ever luxury hot air balloon vacation. What could possibly go wrong for the King and Queen of the skies? Binoculars at the ready as this cartoon couple take fiasco to a whole new height.
A live action cartoon escapade for all ages to enjoy, featuring slapstick comedy and dynamic dance.
Hold on
by Stefano Di Renzo
Hold on is a show where gravity, counterweight and centrifugal force are tested to new limits. Witness a wordless performance of delightful virtuosity where buckets whirl around, cups and balls fly through the air and planks become catapults. All culminating with the charming character holding himself afloat in the air just by the strength of his grip whilst he is precariously balancing on top of the rope he is holding on to. He holds himself up, if he lets go he will fall…
Happy Heart Bike
by PanGottic
The #HappyHeartBike is a cross between a giant marble run and a kinetic sculpture, hand crafted and built onto the back of a bike to create a mobile piece of street theatre and the world’s first and only pedal powered, moving rolling ball sculpture!
Once Upon a Wall
An egg. A wall. A very big fall.
Join Hum-T on her fast-paced dancing adventure through the streets of Lost Sandwiches. Build a giant wall, throw down some signature moves, and watch one very large egg scramble to the top. Kids and adults alike join in the fun on the egg-venture of a lifetime, becoming hoofed horses, hip-hopping with the Royal Rebels and helping an egg to see the sunny side of life.
Commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival and Middlesbrough Council and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Clown About Town
by Hocus Pocus Theatre
A clown on the run, is wanted for a crime she didn’t commit! In attempting to prove her innocence, she discovers the liberating act of daring to be yourself in a world trying to make you like everyone else.
Van Buren’s Victorian Wonders Carnival
by Andrew Van Buren
Roll Up and witness a snapshot into the magical world of Van Buren’s Victorian Wonders Carnival, where the air is filled with music from the miniature ‘Gavioli style Fairground Organ’ and see yourself distorted beyond recognition by the ‘Crazy Portals’ but also you will not only meet, but also hear the amazing tale of immortality from the famed Arabian Nights Royal Storyteller Scheherazade.
Shows regularly throughout the day.
Circus Planting with Ladybird Su
Visit Su at her Newcastle Common stall for seed planting seeds and making flower pots, plus share your stories, memories and gardening tips and tricks.
Access at The Homecoming
We have put measures in place to make sure The Homecoming is accessible possible. Check out The Homecoming access Guidance here.
The Homecoming Arts Award
We’re so excited to again include the fantastic opportunity for children aged 6-10 to earn an Arts Award Discover at The Homecoming.
Find out more about how you can take part here.
