It’s fun for all on the high seas

SUNDERLAND TALL SHIPS ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME. BARBARA HODGSON HAS THE DETAILS

HIGH-WIRE circus acts, live music, theatre and dance performances will form part of this summer’s Tall Ships celebrations, it has been announced.

A four-day entertainment package has been unveiled as part of Sunderland’s plans to make The Tall Ships Races 2018 a spectacular event.

Among the highlights will be a possible world record as daring wire walkers attempt to cross the River Wear.

The host city, which will welcome 55 sailing vessels from around the world from July 11 to July 14, is gearing up for what’s being billed as the UK’s largest free family event.

While the magnificent tall ships themselves promise to be the main crowd-puller, as they gather here in full sail ahead of setting off on the first race to Esbjerg in Denmark, the event organisers are keen to ensure that there will be plenty more on offer to interest the crowds.

With an estimated 1.5m visitors due to descend on Sunderland during the course of the event, the entertainment programme will feature something for all ages, from fairgrounds and markets to art workshops and exhibitions.

Performers from around the world will join homegrown talent, such as Sophie Lisa Beresford, in laying on spectacular shows at various ‘event zones’ set up around the city.

The River Wear aerial crossing will be attempted by Circus Bijou’s British husband and wife team Chris and Phoebe Bullzini and Belgium’s Johanne Humblet who will perform 30m up on a 220m-long wire - without a safety net - against the backdrop of the setting sun.

Other circus acts will include the Extraordinary Bodies troupe of disabled and able-bodied people, who will be showcasing their aerial skills, and Finnish all-female trapeze artists Sisus Sirkus who will perform on a 9m-high wire.

More aerial antics will come courtesy of Citrus Arts performing dance and acrobatics on an upturned ship’s hull while local talent Emma Bloomfield will also add to the acrobatics.

Other coming highlights include world-famous Danish clown Paulo Nani; music and dance from Sophie Lisa Beresford; performances by Southpaw Dance on a real fairground carousel, and stilt dancers and electro drummers who will add drama to the carnival-style crew parade.

Also on the Sunderland bill will be finale fireworks and a communitybased Summer Streets festival at nearby Seaburn.

Unveiling the entertainment programme, Coun John Kelly, portfolio holder for public health, wellness and culture, said that the event will be “spectacular”.

He added: “The Tall Ships Races Sunderland will be the biggest, most ambitious festival the city has ever hosted. And the whole city has been involved, from the 240 volunteers who will be on hand to help visitors, to the dozens of schools and community groups which have created events, performances and shows to entertain visitors.”

The cultural programme is being produced by Sunderland Culture whose head of performance, Helen Green, said that 200 events in total will take place over the course of the event.

For more details of The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 see www.tallshipssunderland.com