High drama over the Wear

Visitors to Sunderland can look forward to an event which has never been seen anywhere else in the world.

High-wire walkers will attempt to cross the River Wear on a 700ft-long tightrope without any safety nets.

And they will do it with choirs singing above them and boats sailing by beneath them.

Cirque Bijou, who are renowned for their spectacular shows, will deliver the dazzling high-wire performance on Friday, July 13, when three artists will walk across the Wear.

The Wear will be turned into a river of light, sound and spectacular sights this summer.

Three high-wire walkers will cross from Panns Bank on a rope which will rise 100ft to the Wearmouth Bridge where a choir of local singers will be performing.

All this will be done at night-time while a fleet of little boats will sail up the river, each filled with people carrying illuminated umbrellas.

Cirque Bijou creative producer Flo Fitzgerald said: “As a company, we have not done a river crossing. This will be the first crossing of a river on high wire in history.”

High wire walker Chris Bullzini said he was feeling “a mixture of excitement and anticipation” about the Sunderland event.

Sunderland City Council’s Head of Events, Victoria French said: “It is definitely unique and something we have not seen before in Sunderland.”