France-based Transe Express will perform Maudits Sonnants, “an exhilarating, adrenaline-inducing, awe-inspiring production”, outdoors as part of Birmingham Weekender.
Birmingham’s largest arts festival will include a programme of events from hundreds of artists and companies from abroad as well as the West Midlands.
Maudits Sonnants will feature actors, dancers, trapeze artists, acrobats, bell ringers, percussionists, singers, string quartets, welders and technicians.
The piece has at its centre a lotus-like, metallic, 17-metre-diameter structure manipulated by a telescopic crane. It is lifted high into the air carrying with it musicians and trapeze artists. As it slowly spins, the sound of bells rings out across the city.
Transe Express has performed in cities including Singapore, Sydney and Barcelona and at major public events.
Maudits Sonnants will receive its Birmingham première in Centenary Square on Friday 25 September and will continue on Saturday. Both performances start at 8:30PM. The event is free.
Birmingham Weekender is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome on behalf of Birmingham Arts Partnership.