The first of these spectacular events will be a new sound art installation by Oxford Contemporary Theatre called Ring Out, which will transform the Market Place on May 29.
A series of industrial giant towers hold suspended bell-like speaker cones, as they gradually swing higher and higher until each arm soars up over the heads of the audience.
Ringing forth with a peel of electronic tones that combine into a transfixing harmony of pulsing drones, Ring Out continues the work of multi award winning composer and artist Ray Lee, whose distinctive combination of sound and kinetic sculpture has thrilled audiences the world over.
Ray’s monumental outdoor work Chorus premiered in Newbury in 2013 and has since been touring nationally and internationally.
Following this in June will be BELONGING(s), which subtly provokes thoughts on migration, the notion of belonging and the fleeting nature of what surrounds us.
BELONGING(s) is Tilted Productions’ latest site-sensitive promenade performance. Different in each place and responding to its environment, the piece invites the viewer to see the familiar in new ways, with local spaces being turned into illusionary worlds.
Created by Maresa von Stockert in collaboration with an inter-generational cast of eight performers, the work combines contemporary dance, physical theatre and an integral use of objects and locality. The piece also involves elements performed by people from the local community.
And then at the end of June, the summer night will be brightened with gentle giants of light, brightening Newbury’s town centre in a night-time outdoor performance.
Sense of Unity brings the illuminated large scale puppet, Dundu from Germany together with the UK’s LED-lit, high-energy, percussion ensemble Worldbeaters for the first time.
As dusk falls, follow the band as they parade through the streets of Newbury and discover both baby Dundu and the gentle giant Dundu. Will they find each other? Will they get on?
Enjoy the different musical worlds of Dundu, and the West African Kora and the Latin American based drumming riffs and rhythms. Both companies have enthralled and entertained spectators worldwide.
This world premiere is produced by Activate Performing Arts and has been developed in a residency at the Corn Exchange’s 101 Outdoor Art Creation Space.
For more information or ticket enquiries, visit: cornexchangenew.com