A hit at last year’s Brighton Festival, A Weekend Without Walls returns for 2023 with a two-day selection of free, family-friendly outdoor spectaculars taking place across Brighton and Crawley. Showcasing circus, music and dance shows, the pop-up series is a riot of colour, a feast for the senses and an opportunity to experience different cultures and enjoy a variety of fascinating stories.
Pravaas is a powerful dance and music promenade performance that explores the journey of people migrating from the Sundarbans - the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, which supports approximately 4.37 million inhabitants – across India and Bangladesh due to devastation caused by climate change. The performance uses ancient South Asian dance forms and uplifting song to express the pain, suffering, resourcefulness, spirit and hope within these communities. Performances on Sun 28 May will be Audio Described and include a Touch Tour.
Where did the idea for Pravaas come from?
Suba Subramaniam - Artistic Director of Pravaas: The idea came from my interest in working with arts and climate change. I spent 12 days in the Sagar in West Bengal with people that had their lives impacted due to the landscape changing and wanted to tell some of their stories. People are forced to leave their land as a solution to a really big problem that in turn affects the people of the places they move into. The climate crisis affects us all as a ripple effect.
How do you feel about bringing the piece to Brighton?
Suba Subramaniam: Brighton is a really diverse place with people with many migration stories. Presenting this work in a locality that is near the sea feels poignant. I am looking forward to presenting Pravaas at this prestigious Festival.
Candoco Dance Company and Jamaal Burkmar have embarked on an exciting collaboration, crafting a brand-new masterpiece exclusively for, and commissioned by,Brighton Festival. Performed by a cast of disabled and non-disabled performers, accessibility is at the heart of this engaging performance. Bursting to life in unexpected outdoor and unconventional spaces, this extraordinary dance experience connects with everyone, no matter how they encounter it - whether staying for the whole performance or wandering by.
How would you describe this collaboration in three words?
Candoco Dance Company: Inclusive. Engaging. Mind-opening.
What do you hope people will take away from the event?
Candoco: We hope they will have had their perception of what dance can be challenged and expanded.
What does being part of Brighton Festival mean to you?
Candoco: We’re thrilled to be part of this iconic festival which holds accessibility and inclusivity in the arts as highly as Candoco does. Having a brand new piece to share makes it extra special, and working with Jamaal Burkmar for its creation has been truly uplifting. We can’t wait to bring our collaboration to Brighton’s beautiful spaces!
Ancient Futures is a spectacular dance party that begins at twilight and offers audiences the chance to get involved with a ritual to transport humanity into a new, inspiring future. The performance fuses dance, circus, parkour, music and storytelling with design inspired by West African masquerade and Afrofuturism. It was conceived and directed by Vicki Dela Amedume (Upswing) and J Spooner (Unlimited) in collaboration with Quantum poet Oneness Sankara with new music by grime artist Afrikan Boy. On Sunday, participants can join the Ancient Futures Afrinauts for a dance workshop and a rhyming workshop – both free and aimed at space cadets of all abilities and ages!
Additionally, as part of A Weekend Without Walls, you can unwind and treat yourself to a delightful beverage served from a vibrant, hand-painted Tuk Tuk courtesy of TEABREAK. As you sip your drink, you’re invited to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Mughal Miniatures, where talented performers in lavish costumes transport you to enchanting realms of dance, music, and puppetry. Inspired by the ancient Indian miniature paintings of the 9th and 10th century, these performances create captivating and colourful mini worlds that will leave you in awe. And for our young adventurers, don't miss Choogh Choogh, a thrilling experience that combines contemporary movement, theatre, play, and catchy tunes to weave captivating stories of traversing India aboard a train.
Discover more about A Weekend Without Walls...
Pravaas is presented by Akademi, has been supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Brighton Festival. Supported by 101 Creation Space and through public funding by Arts Council England. With thanks to Inside Out Dorset. The R&D for Pravaas was supported by Blueprint: Without Walls R&D Investment Fund.
New Work by Jamaal Burkmar by Candoco Dance Company, is choreographed by Jamaal Burkmar (Extended Play Dance), performed by Maiya Leeke and Caroline Lofthouse, supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Brighton Festival.
Ancient Futures is co-produced by Unlimited Theatre and Upswing. Supported by Without Walls. Commissioned by LEEDS 2023; Greenwich and Docklands International Festival; Brighton Festival; Stockton International Riverside Festival. Also supported by Coventry City Council and Coventry City of Culture Trust. Co-commissioned by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council for BD:Festival. Creation supported by 101 Outdoor Arts. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. R&D supported by a Blueprint R&D Investment Fund.