Lighthouse is delighted to be a partner of the Inside Out Dorset festival, and in particular, supporting the Poole programme on the opening weekend of the international biennial festival of outdoor arts curated by Activate Performing Arts from 15 to 24 September. 

With two world premieres and five UK premieres in five incredible locations across Dorset, the festival builds on its successful track record of removing traditional barriers to accessing the arts while inspiring audiences to discover and appreciate some of the county’s many different rural and urban sites. 

“Inside Out Dorset consistently presents wonderfully bold, innovative and, above all, entertaining performances in our wonderful county and Lighthouse is incredibly proud to be able to help bring amazing cultural experiences like these to our community,” says Elspeth McBain, Lighthouse Chief Executive. 

“As a great supporter of international circus acts, we are so pleased that the programme for the Poole weekend includes a number of fantastic circus performers.” 

The opening weekend programme in Poole will find a series of performances and installations in Falkland Square on the High Street on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September. 

Time to Loop: A story of movement, transformation and love performed by a contemporary circus duo using a bicycle and lightness of movement as a game of synchronicity and balance ensues. 

Sisyphus: Three performers present acrobatic magic in the banquine style – an acrobatic act of three or more people, with at least one flyer – to create a show full of artistry. 

Gap of 42: Two dissimilar bodies – separated by 42cms in height and 42kg in weight – meet acrobatically and find the difference connects and creates possibilities instead of obstacles. Philosophical questions get asked, absurd moments arise and a glimpse of magic surprises. 

Lives of Clay: If clay could talk, what would it say? Stories of women from ancient myth and modern life are brought vividly to life through thrilling classical Indian dance, live ceramics, original music and half a ton of clay. 

The Vegetable Nannies: two eccentric gardeners out for a day trip with their family of little ones – beautiful bouncing baby fruits and vegetables – they entrust to the audience. Performed by street theatre specialists Plunge Bloom formed by actor writer Ben Faulks, aka CBeebies’ Mr Bloom. 

Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band: A living embodiment of the rich landscape of Rajasthan in India, this unique brass band is a spectacular celebration of the region’s vibrant and colourful lifestyle. 

Serving Sounds: A multi-sensory sound installation performed by Poole’s very own The Working Boys Club – electrician turned Circus director Jason and mechanic turned designer/maker Adam – at the Serving Sounds bar where everything (from glasses to beer mats) makes a sound. 

The Air Between Us: A captivating aerial dance event performed mid-air by choreographer Chloe Loftus and multi-award winning Maori artist Rodney Bell, who performs in his wheelchair. 

The Phat Controller: Stuart Henderson presents ‘Fanfares for the Trains’ – each time the level crossing on Poole High Steet is raised and a train passes the former Scots Guard principal trumpet will play a fanfare, anything from jazz to trained-themed pop songs. 

The Poole programme is shared in part with Inside Out Dorset’s Wimborne site and other performances can be found at Moors Valley Country Park and Wild Woodbury at Bere Regis, culminating in the monumental urban opera Poupées géantes in which three giant opera singing dolls come to life on the streets of Weymouth. 

Full details can be found at https://activateperformingarts.org.uk/whats-on/inside-out-dorset/.