Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Off the wall fun for children
Family festival boing! is back with a bounce in its step and features a packed programme of breakdancing, theatre and circus acts.
As many as 15,000 people are expected to enjoy the two-day spectacle, which features award-winning performers across a range of shows this Saturday and Sunday.
Brought to Canterbury by the Gulbenkian, it will boast the premiere of Kubla Khan, a multi-sensory work for young audiences with versions for deafblind youngsters, those on the autistic spectrum and children with profound learning difficulties.
The Ruggeds, a breakdance crew from the Netherlands, will bring their explosive energy, while Musicalmente from Portugal will perform their concert for babies.
There are more tumbles and flips from the acrobatic Race Horse Company from Finland, and boing! regulars Dybwikdans from Norway bring their Ugly Duckling to the UK for the first time.
Audiences can also catch Lone Twin’s friendly Beastie, Shona Reppe with The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, the world’s smallest working bus, “potatoes of love”, a 3D animal experience and Aquaduck.
The finale to both festival days is provided by Cirque Du Platzak from the Netherlands, a collective of 12 musicians and circus performers providing gasps, laughs and cheers for an outdoor audience.
The festival is free to enter, but some indoor performances are ticketed at £6. Visit www.boingfestival. com or call the Gulbenkian on 01227 769075 for tickets and information.