CONCEIVED as a real disaster movie in the sky, aerial performers will deliver a breathtaking show for the people of Derby.
A vertical stage which moves to tell the tale of an ecological crisis will be the headline act for Derby's Feste – held at the Bass Recreation Ground tomorrow evening.
And crowds are expected to be stunned by the "thrilling" performance – As The World Tipped by the internationally-acclaimed Wired Aerial Theatre.
The piece has been written and directed by world-renowned Nigel Jamieson, who also worked on the opening ceremony for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
The inspiration for the performance came from his passion to use theatre as a way to explore global issues.
"Every show is a completely new adventure," said Maggie Chapman, producer of the show.
"The five performers are weightless and defy gravity at the same time."
The action takes place at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and harassed staff fail to notice as the world around them literally slides towards disaster.
The action then unfolds into a cliff-hanger – combining video visuals with aerial performance in order to highlight the impact of climate change.
Maggie said: "The ending is a message of hope and change – the idea that people can come together and talk about the issue.
"It is quite a serious piece combined with moments of thrilling, gasping spectacles.
"It is meant to be thought-provoking."
The show premiered in May 2011 and has since been performed 35 times.
"The fact that it is being shown as part of Derby Festé shows that the city is doing really well," added Maggie.
"We are all really looking forward to it."
Members of the public will have the chance to talk to some of the stars of Wired Aerial Theatre at a special question and answer session at Quad on Saturday .
There are 100 free tickets available for the hour long session starting at 11am.
Alex Rock, Festé engagement officer, said: "Festé is building a real legacy in the city and we are delighted that the Wired Aerial Theatre has agreed to meet with a local audience for the first time as part of their worldwide tour to discuss the issues and inspiration for this amazing piece of outdoor theatre.
"I saw the performance recently in Birmingham and was amazed how many people were talking about this on the bus journey home and discussing the issues surrounding the performance.
"This is therefore a unique opportunity for Derby and I am sure that many of the audience who enjoyed the performance the evening before would particularly like to attend."
Admission for the question and answer session is free of charge and tickets are available on a first come-first serve basis from Quad reception.
Tickets for As The World Tipped – which starts at 8pm tomorrow evening – cost £5 in advance and £7 at the gates.
Booking is strongly recommended as tickets are selling out.
Following on from the performance of As The World Tipped, junk percussion duo Bang On! will lead the audience tomorrow evening through the River Gardens to the Market Place in the Cathedral Quarter, where there will be live music on stage and a light installation.
Hudson Super Six – formed from the wreckage of three of Derby's most successful bands, Cable, Scribble and Iris – will take to the stage at 9pm.
They will be followed by soul group the Jamie Joseph Band from 9.45pm and Riptide – a British rock band – who will take centre stage at 10.30pm.
Alex Blood & the Diggers will perform at 11.15pm.
Highlights of Derby Festé on Saturday include a fire show, circus workshops and a Bollywood party.
For more information about all the Festé performances, visit www.derbyfeste.com.
What's on and where?BASS RECREATION GROUND
8-8.45pm: Wired Aerial Theatre – As The World Tipped. Advanced tickets £5 adults; £15 families. On the gate, £7 adults, £21 families.
QUAD
12pm & 6pm: Curator Tours of Lindsay Seers – Monocular at in Quad.
MARKET PLACE
8.45pm-12am: Live music stage including performance tent, Bollywood exhibition, live music on stage and a light installation.
9pm: Hudson Super Six
9.45pm: Jamie Joseph Band
10.30pm: Riptide
11.15pm: Alex Blood & The Diggers.
CATHEDRAL GREEN
12pm: Maison Foo Tea Tent. Come and celebrate Festé in style at the most eccentric street cafe around.
12pm & 2.15pm: Upswing Theatre – Red Shoes. Breathtaking circus blends with playful dance in this rich adaptation of the dark and disturbing fairytale set in a forest of Chinese poles.
12pm & 2.45pm: Whalley Range All Stars – Imaginary Friends. A ten-person ensemble street procession starting from the Cathedral Green.
1pm: Catherine Boot Circus Workshops
7.30-8.30pm: DJ Yoda – AV Show
QUAD
10am-4pm: Feste Funky Flags. Fun, free workshop for all ages to make a flag.
10am-5pm: Quad Big Scribble in the cafe
WATERFALL, MARKET PLACE AND BOOKCAFE
12pm-6pm: Splash stage. Festé presents an exciting line-up of dancers, musicians, poets and magicians from across the county.
EAST STREET, ST PETER'S STREET AND IRON GATE/SADLER GATE
12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm: Bread and Butter Theatre – Gardeners' Question Time. Leek FM's expert gardeners, Pete and Ged Moss (complete with musical wheelbarrow), are on hand to answer all your horticultural and healthy lifestyle queries with their very own version of Gardeners' Question Time.
RIVER GARDENS
12-5pm: ICD Life Boat. A small boat, with canvas hammocks where you can help push the boat, play the drums and contribute to the Ship's Log.
ST PETER'S STREET, CATHEDRAL GREEN AND CORN MARKET
12pm, 1.15pm & 3.30pm: Reckless Invention – Turbo and Dai breakdancing duo.
MARKET PLACE, ST PETER'S STREET AND EAST STREET
12.15pm, 2pm & 3.30pm: Wrong Size – The Dragons. Inspired by Gaudi sculptures in Barcelona, The Dragons veer between high-energy carnival-style prancing and sculptural stillness.
CORNMARKET, IRON GATE, SADLER GATE, CATHEDRAL GREEN AND ST PETER'S STREET
12.30pm, 1.45pm & 4pm: The 2 Men – The Wardens – comedy walkabout performers.
EAST STREET
12.30-1.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm: Derby Independent Theatre Network – A Very British Expedition. Meet outside Millets on East Street and tour St Peter's Quarter and Cathedral Quarter for an eccentric expedition through the city.
1pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm: Curious Cargo – Lost Luggage Porters. Join these silent movie characters in their quest to find the railway station.
MARKET PLACE, CORNMARKET, CATHEDRAL GREEN, CATHEDRAL QUARTER AND WESTFIELD
1pm, 3pm & 6pm: Close Act – White Wings. Enchanting phantom precession.
ST PETER'S STREET AND EAST STREET, ST PETER'S QUARTER AND MARKET PLACE
1pm, 2.30pm & 3.45pm: Artizani – Stilted Ringmaster.
MARKET PLACE
1.15pm & 3.15pm: Chameleon – Push. Street contemporary dance duo.
2pm: Speakers Corner – Interactive Artwork Launch. Launch of a new piece of artwork.
2pm & 4pm: C12 – Trolleys. Part dance, part ballet, part outdoor spectacle.
7pm & 9pm: Flame Oz – Fire Show at Market Place and Cathedral Green. High-energy choreographed fire dance and pyrotechnic spectacular.
9pm-12am: Bollywood Party with Charity Shop DJ and Surtal Arts.
