Street artists branch

Visitors are being invited to walk on the wild side through the woodlands of Cumbria this July for a series of free arts events that will entertain all of the family.

As part of the Lakes Alive season, the Into the Woods Tour will bring contemporary street arts into the heart of the woodlands at Talkin Tarn, Whinlatter Forest and Grizedale Forest.

Lakes Alive is Cumbria’s unique contribution to the Legacy Trust UK programme which was set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Art installations will spring up in forest glades, amazing creatures will appear from behind trees and actors will pop up from nowhere during the three day event which runs until Friday July 30 .

Acts include a wooden book inscribed onto trees, a surreal performance of Hansel and Gretel and a giant inflatable pig.

Julie Tait said: "The woodlands of Cumbria will provide a stunning backdrop to some amazing performances from a group of truly innovative street artists from around the world. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring a picnic and take a stroll through the magical woods while being entertained by some thrilling shows that will transport you to another world."

Highlights of the tour include The Vagabonds Ready Steady Grow which is a family cabaret show featuring a riveting mix of songs, stories, magic, puppets and audience participation. Seated around an overgrown potting shed, the two main characters Sid and Eric present a rousing case for the benefits of a healthy diet, exercise and outdoor activity in what they describe as "a peachy not a preachy" way.

All the way from New Zealand comes Wild Theatre with their magical performance of Fishing for Shadows. They will fill a corner of the woods with puppets, shadow puppets, marionettes, toy theatre, music and sound effects.

Inspired by the beaches and glaciers of New Zealand, the production uses puppets and images created from natural materials, driftwood and found objects. Audiences can bring the objects to life themselves and create their own stories and adventures.

You won’t be able to miss The Whalley Range All Stars show Pig which features a 30ft long sleeping sow. The forest will be trembling with the sound of her snuffling and snoring and visitors can even watch a show which takes place in the pig’s tummy.

The Pig has proved a star attraction at festivals across the globe and will enchant children and adults alike.

Metro Boulot Dodo will give visitors the chance to set out on their own fairytale journey through the woods. Press play on the specially provided mp3 player, look out for the witch and try not to get lost as you follow the Hansel And Gretel trail on this weird and wonderful audio and performance tour.

Featuring a musical score, voiceovers, props and performances this is a comic and at times scary recreation of the Grimm Brothers' classic tale.

There will also be a promenade performance from Luci Goreel-Barnes called The Tragic and Disturbing Tale of Little Lupin which tells the tale of a little girl whose life takes an unexpected turn for the worst.

The performers will take visitors into a mysterious world of showman’s tents, hairy sisters, tiny cinema screens, live music and beautiful hand drawn animation.

And Orly Orbach will present The Lost Fairy – a sequence of words and images inscribed onto trees which visitors are invited to blend together to create a story.

The Forestry Commission’s Hayley Skipper, who is the arts development officer at Grizedale Forest, said: "The Forestry Commission is delighted to be able to host two events in this exciting and imaginative tour at Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests.　 Grizedale Forest has pioneered the growth of outdoor art since the 1970s and is home to more than 60 sculptures.　 We are keen to further develop Grizedale as a centre for arts which are accessible to all.

"Forests are also ideal places for people to enjoy the great outdoors, and these events will provide a great opportunity for people to explore these forests in a new way."

Performance dates and booking information

Into the Woods Tour
Talkin' Tarn Country Park, Brampton

2.00pm-7.00pm, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

A £1 parking charge applies at Talking' Tarn Country Park car park. Parking spaces for people with disability badges are free for three hours.

Whinlatter Forest, Keswick

2.00pm-7.00pm, Thursday, 29 July 2010

Pay and display parking is available at the Whinlatter Forest Car Park.

　
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead

2.00pm - 7.00pm, Friday, 30 July 2010

Pay and display parking is available at Grizedale Forest Car Parks.

Prices: Free

The Into the Woods　tour has also been organised in association with the Lake District National Park Authority.

Lakes Alive is one of three annual programmes commissioned for WE PLAY, the Northwest cultural legacy programme for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.　 WE PLAY is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games. The project is led by the Arts Council England Northwest on behalf of a new regional partnership. Lakes Alive is sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and has also received funding from Arts Council England and the Northern Rock Foundation.　　　　

For more information about Lakes Alives 2010 events go to www.lakesalive.org

For more information on Talkin Tarn visit http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/parks_and_open_spaces/talkin_tarn.aspx and for information on Grizedale and Whinlatter visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland

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