SLIDESHOW: Streets of Battle wows crowds

Bicycle balancers and a sickly squid took over the town during a celebration of street art on Saturday (April 30).
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2016, 15:38 BST
Updated 5th May 2016, 16:42 BST

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The rain held off for the second Streets of Battle – the town’s new monthly street arts festival.

Shoppers and passing traffic on the high street were explored by giant tentacles making their way to Abbey Green in an interactive show from Puppets with Guts. Children got involved in the plot, helping to nurse the sickly squid back to health.

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UK Africa Acrobats balanced bicycles on their heads, juggled hats and bowls and had audiences gasping with their contortions and comic timing.

Battle Youth Street Theatre showcased its own production, developed especially for Streets of Battle, with support from theatre company, Inside Out.

The free, family-friendly event is brought to Battle High Street by the ELF (Every Last Friday) team and produced by Hastings events company, 18 Hours.

Mandy Curtis, director of 18 Hours, said: “It’s such a joy to programme free top-quality street arts for Battle. The day was a great success and hopefully people will come back for the next one on May 28.”

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Naomi Robinson from 18 Hours said the feedback they have had from visitors and residents since Saturday has been positive.

People particularly praised Puppets with Guts’ giant squid and UK Africa Acrobats.

The next, and final, Streets of Battle, is on Saturday, May 28, and will feature one of the country’s most popular street theatre acts, Granny Tourismo.

Naomi said the duo of trolley-riding, techno-dancing grannies are considered among the very best in British street theatre.

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Dizzy O Dare will also be performing his Giant Balloon Show, and audiences will be treated to much-loved songs performed by the Hastings Voice Squad, as well as the final performance from Battle Youth Street Theatre.

For more information, look out for the Streets of Battle leaflet or visit the Streets of Battle Facebook page at www.facebook.com/battlestreetarts.

Pictures by Kim Hall.

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