Published: Thursday, 2nd June 2016
Covent Garden’s street performers are world-famous, and a selection of the best will be swapping London for King’s Lynn this summer.
Eleven acts will perform shows across six Saturdays from June to September, adding to an already packed programme of free events. The performers will be in Baxter’s Plain in the Vancouver Quarter, and shows will take place between noon and 3pm.
Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, the borough council cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Health, said: “The Covent Garden street performers were such a success last year that we’ve brought them back this year: more acts, on more days. King’s Lynn’s town centre is a great place to stroll around, with lots of heritage to explore, lots of shops to browse, and these performers make it even more of a draw”.
Vancouver Quarter Manager Abbie Panks added: "We have worked in partnership with the borough council to ensure that there is always plenty to see and do in the town this summer. The events programme last year definitely helped to increase footfall in the town and many traders reported a positive impact. The varied mix of events and performances this year will hopefully encourage even more people to come along and see what King's Lynn has to offer."
The season of entertainment begins on Saturday 11 June, when Felicity Footloose and Granny Turismo perform. Felicity Footloose is a juggler, dancer and acrobat, and her show is hilarious and exhilarating. Her daredevil antics even include hanging upside down by her toes and juggling knives! Granny Turismo are the world’s first and only shopping trolley dance display team. This unforgettable act features spectacular dance routines and showcases the grannies’ delightful personalities – when these girls arrive on their souped-up shopping trolleys, everyone takes notice.
On Saturday 2 July, DynaMike brings his internationally-renowned act to King’s Lynn. DynaMike has been performing his unicycle act around the world for decades, and it’s full of head-turning tricks and dazzling stunts. Watch him warm up by juggling chain saws, before his finale which involves riding a sixteen-foot-high unicycle and juggling machete knives!
On 23 July, the streets of King’s Lynn welcome Mr Vita and Maple Staplegun. Mr Vita is a real-life cartoon whose zaniness, juggling and lively physical comedy delights audiences of all ages. This lovable, self-proclaimed ‘professional stupid’ ends his show with an explosive finale involving rock’n’roll, a motorbike helmet and a striptease. Maple Staplegun is a hula-hoop performer who’s escaped from her humdrum office life and onto the streets! Armed with her hula-hoops, office equipment and a quirky attitude, Maple draws on traditional circus ring techniques to create a melodramatic show that will leave audiences amazed and weak with laughter.
On 30 July, Akira and George Orange will perform. Akira is one of the most unusual street performers to be seen anywhere around the world. He’s based in Japan but travels the world with his art. His amazing high-energy act combines dance and DJ mixing skills, and the creation of stunning artwork – all at the same time! George Orange is an eccentric clown and slack-rope dancer, a juggler and a circus performer. His one-of-a-kind act truly is an experience not to be missed. George has toured extensively for fifteen years and has performed at many street festivals.
On 27 August, Reuben Dot Dot Dot and Betty Brawn the Strong Lady will perform. Reuben Dot Dot Dot is an Australian acrobat who defies gravity and death in stunts that must be seen to be believed! This trained gymnast performed around the world, developing a show that has humour, handstands, hat manipulation, sticky pole, hand-balancing, and crowd interaction! Betty Brawn is known around the world as the Strongest Lady Alive. She presents an exhilarating array of feats of strength as she tears thick romance novels, twists solid metal, snaps steel chains and shatters genders clichés. Betty’s show is full of her signature feats, such as spinning two grown men in the ‘Human Carousel’.
The final performances, on 3 September, are from Pandora Pink and Mr Spin. Pandora Pink presents a physical comedy act that is engaging, hilarious and absurd. She performs a whirlwind tribute to the master of physical comedy W.C. Field, to Elvis Presley, and to all things pink and box-like! Mr Spin mixes traditional juggling with Chinese devil-sticking, contact juggling, madcap antics and an incredible sense of fun. His finale involves Mr Spin on an eight-foot zig-zag unicycle juggling three baseball bats with a glass of water balanced on his head – not one to miss!
For more on what’s going on in King’s Lynn, visit our events page