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City Diversions Street Theatre Festival 2015 - Chelmsford

Street theatre is one of my favourite things, there's normally a lot going on, and watching people's reactions to the unexpected, surprising, and random is great entertainment. It's also fun to photograph, especially for a photography fan like me.

I have however been to see our local City Diversions Street Theatre event a good few times now, so in so I know a little of what to expect, especially with the popular acts. So I went into town on the 19th September concentrating my efforts on finding something new and different and I think I found that this time round. Here's a few of the acts I watched this year.

Dynamogene - The Cymbalobylette (France)
 
Dynamogene - The Cymbalobylette
 
This was like stepping back in time to an era where mad cap inventors would gather all they had to produce weird and wonderful machines. Very creative presentation and humour in the performance which demonstrated all the aspects of their weird and wonderful machine.









Musical Ruth (UK)

Has to be seen to fully appreciate how hilarious this act is. Very funny to watch a singing Nun float around the high street, playing the piano, surprising the public with facial contortions, and giving 100% to sing and dance in the most random way possible. I'd heard about this act before, and it didn't disappoint.







The Airship (Spain)

I wish I'd been able to see this act again as it looked really good. Seeing something big go up and down the high street is always a favourite at City Diversions, and this airship was great.


Funny characters acting as airship pioneers, who at one point even rose in the air pulling an audience member behind them. Would like to see what else they have to offer, as it was very entertaining.




Folk Dance Remixed (UK)

I couldn't wait until I was old enough to do maypole dancing at school, and loved it when I did, although that's probably where my interest in traditional English dance ended. I was intrigued to see how this act would perform maypole, and make it modern. They turned out to be one of the best acts I have seen in a long time. Their mix of traditional, and urban (think street, house, hip hop, breakdance) was engaging from start to finish, and the energy that came from having live instruments and beat boxing really carried round the performance space. Unfortunately I missed their other shows (they didn't just do the maypole) but it was a really nice touch that they did a workshop after their maypole show to get the parents and children involved. This is how you get people interested in dance. Would definitely watch these guys perform again. Folk Dance Remixed were a great addition to the line-up this year.

 


There seemed to be more of an emphasis on static shows or walkabouts with specific performance times this year, and not as much to see in between, wandering about the high street. Perhaps some more workshops, make a take, street food would further add to the atmosphere and entertainment. Otherwise I was diverted by City Diversions.

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