Genre-defying, show-stopping visual arts and theatre in all forms take centre stage at this year’s Barclaycard presents Latitude. In the Theatre Arena, highlights include The Super Special Disability Roadshow, created by Birds of Paradise Theatre. Drawing on stories and experiences of disabled children and adults, the show will explore what it means to be disabled and how we all feel about our identities, with characteristic humour, heart and honesty. Political comedian Mark Thomas also previews his one-man show England and Son, a kaleidoscopic odyssey where disaster capitalism, Thatcherite politics and stolen wealth merge into the simple tale of a working-class boy who just wants his dad to smile at him. Spoken word star Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee is an excavation of lives lived and not lived with poems on class, excessive consumption, love and adoption, delivered with the directness and pathos that has made him one of England’s most popular live poets.
We are thrilled to be adding even more creative, diverse and inspirational talent to your Barclaycard presents Latitude line up!
Fans of high-level circus and dark comedy will find Party Ghost refreshing, jaw-dropping and hauntingly hilarious! Latitude attendees are invited to join Laser Kiwi, the world’s only surreal, sketch, award-winning circus troupe on a wild ride as they bring people closer together, one olive at a time. Expect bizarre ideas, a high-level circus which is hilarious and impressive in equal measure! Adelaide Fringe Best Emerging Artists, YUCK Circus also join Latitude, bringing their true stories of womanhood to the stage. Rising queer comedy star, Dan Wye also brings their legendary and hilarious must-see mystic drag character Séayoncé to Latitude, summoning history’s greatest spirits to the festival in Res-Erection. Across the weekend, award-winning clown Britt Plummer will present her new work, Fool’s Paradise, a delicately powerful journey of storytelling, clowning and physical comedy and Grumms transforms into a horrible squid monster in Something in the Water, with spellbinding video projection, puppetry and laugh-out-loud physical comedy.
Latitude favourites Duckie will be bringing performers from their incredible Duckie Homosexualist Summer School to this year’s festival. Expect short, sharp shocks filled with DIY subterfuge, illegitimate entertainment, pop art and poncing. Afghanistan Is Not Funny also returns to Latitude after a successful run at the legendary Soho Playhouse in New York, performed by triple Fringe First winner Henry Naylor. The Latitude audience will be invited to take part in a mass experiment and imagine a new collective reality with Darkfield presents Eulogy, a surreal journey through a dreamlike, labyrinthine hotel that exists entirely in your mind.
Latitude’s stunning Waterfront Stage is globally renowned for showcasing the best talent in dance productions and companies. This year marks the continuation of a powerful partnership with DanceEast who present an eclectic programme of world-class dance in all its forms including Matthew Bourne’s world-renowned New Adventures, Avant Garde Dance, and leading classical contemporary dance company Joss Arnott Dance. Also performing is Birmingham-based performance company Fatt Projects, who focus on advancing queer joy and empowerment, and the Vanhulle Dance Theatre, who create high-energy performances centring around explosive physicality and human connection. 16 talented, young international dancers from Jasmin Vardimon Company’s JV2 programme will premiere works by Mafalda Deville and Sabrina Gargano. The Place continues to also push creative boundaries with an inspirational showcase of outstanding new work. This year they present Birdgang, an interactive hip-hop dance adventure for all the family, and Look, Mum, No Hands!, a tender story about friendship and growing up.
Across the weekend, Almost Synchro, a group of Bristol-based swimmers, united by a passion for outdoor swimming perform at the festival and National Youth Dance Company England’s Flagship youth dance organisation bring together talented young dancers from across the country. DJ Monski Mouse and her dancers return with their multi-award-nominated, epic kids’ session of bopping, bonkers, beautiful and fun. Expect high-energy smiling to retro beats and thumping nursery rhymes. There will also be a special performance of the heartwarming children’s book Luna Love Dance, followed by a family disco. Latitude favourite Disco Yoga also returns with yoga moves and disco grooves.
Celebrating creativity, diversity and inspirational talent, Barclaycard Presents Latitude adds yet more names to an arts bill without boundaries, transforming Henham Park into the ultimate playground of artistic expression. We can’t wait for these exciting new names to join us in July!