Free world-class circus event is coming to Rugby in July - here's how to book

UPDATE: The event is now fully booked.

World-class dance company Motionhouse is to perform its latest touring production ‘WILD’ in a free event brought to the town by Rugby School.

The first production of this thrilling outdoor dance-circus show since the start of the pandemic, WILD combines acrobatic movement at the top of a dramatic urban forest of high poles.

With the arts effectively shut down by Covid, resulting in the cancellation of The Festival on the Close public events and the town’s annual Festival of Culture for the second year running, Rugby School said it is keen to bring an element live performance back to the community this summer.

The school is working in partnership with Rugby Borough Council and Rugby First who are providing the space and the support to make the event possible.

WILD will be performed at an outside location in the town centre and is an ideal show for a large audience with three-sided viewing and much of the action taking place at height.

All necessary COVID restrictions will be in place.

Rugby School’s artistic director, Macready Theatre & Festival on The Close, Tim Coker, said the shared experience of live events, music, theatre, dance and culture more widely has been missing from everyone’s lives for too long.

He said: “In education, the absence of shared cultural experiences has created a gap that we know we need to work harder than ever now to plug.

“So we at Macready Theatre and The Festival on The Close - two of Rugby School’s community arts platforms - are committed to doing whatever we can to re-introduce these life-enhancing experiences not only for children, but for their parents and grandparents too - to remind us why these things are so crucial to society at large.

Louise Richards, executive director of Motionhouse, based in Leamington Spa, said that after more than a year with no performances due to Covid restrictions, they cannot wait to perform again.

She said: “The fact this is happening for a local audience in Rugby, so close to our home town, makes it even more special. We hope audiences enjoy experiencing live performance after such an extended period without being able to do this.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council Cabinet member for Growth and Investment, said: “Rugby Borough Council is grateful to Rugby School for sponsoring this event for the enjoyment of the people of Rugby.

"This will add greatly to our plans to make this summer one of life, energy and optimism for our community.”

A show suitable for the whole family, free tickets for WILD being performed on 1 July at 18.00 can be booked via the following link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/motionhouse-present-wild-the-daring-dance-circus-production-tickets-158715760111