Solihull Arts Complex

Over 11,000 people were able to enjoy a wide range of free arts and culture across Solihull this summer.

The Fresh Air Theatre festival saw 44 free events take place in 16 parks around the borough.

Organised by the Council’s cultural development team, Culture Solihull, the festival played host to a variety of performances from world class theatre, dance, music and physical theatre companies.

Audiences were wowed by a gyroscopic flying machine as actors swooped above Tudor Grange and Lavender Hall Parks. A 13-foot puppet paraded through Elmdon Park and a giant wheel made its way down Solihull High Street, plus gigantic stones in Shirley Park were used to perform acrobatics. Attendees were also entertained by collapsing trees, parkour on log structures, mischievous sprites, singing, dancing and naughty crows!

The festival was supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund.

Councillor Wazma Qais, Cabinet Member for Communities at Solihull Council, said:

“I am incredibly proud that the Council has delivered such a rich programme of free arts and culture this summer, spread across the whole of Solihull.

“There really was something for everyone, on their doorstep.

“It has been fantastic to hear all the positive feedback from those who attended and to see our parks and open spaces really come to life with such wonderful entertainment.”

A selection of photos from the festival can be viewed in this Facebook gallery.

Summary of events

• Solihull vintage vocal harmony trio, The Boogaloo Babes, performed two concerts
• Motionhouse performed ‘HENGE’ using dynamic parkour and rhythmic beats
• Circo Rum Ba Ba presented ‘The Crow House’, a lively battle of acrobatics, trapeze, hat juggling, slapstick and audience participation
• RoguePlay’s ‘Forests’, involved performers climbing and manipulating a tree
• Highly Sprung’s ‘CastAway’ featured a unique gyroscopic flying machine
• ‘The Chelmsley Tale’ told the fairy tales associated with the origins of Chelmsley Wood
• Ascension Dance presented ‘The Other Side’
• Autin Dance Theatre performed ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ featuring a gigantic 13-foot-tall puppet and ‘Parade’, with a 12-foot-tall giant wheel
• Sampad Arts ‘takeover’ showcased an eclectic blend of dance and music along with a selection of family-friendly workshops