Annual arts extravaganza The Big Feast is returning to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent city centre for its fourth year over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

The event is being produced by Appetite, an Arts Council-funded Creative People & Places programme, led by the New Vic Theatre, which has the aim of getting more people in Stoke-on-Trent engaged in and inspired by the arts. 

Gary Cicinskas, the programme manager for Appetite, said: “We aim to put high-quality arts and culture in front of people in Stoke-on-Trent who wouldn't normally get to see it.

“Money is a consistent barrier for people when it comes to accessing the arts, which is why we work with a huge range of organisations and artistic partners to bring that world-class content to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent for free.”

Since 2013, Appetite has put on more than 650 performances and reached almost 400,000 audience members. They expect to reach as many as 12,000 people across The Big Feast weekend, from Stoke and beyond. 

“To many people in the UK, Stoke-on-Trent is most likely not considered to be a cultural destination,” says Gary, “but The Big Feast gives everyone the chance to engage with something that might have just been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

“These opportunities are vital for arts organisations across the UK. It pleases me that The Big Feast is able to offer such a big menu of high-calibre acts on people’s doorsteps.”

The free two-day festival will showcase a variety of events from more than 20 performing companies, including Flatpack Film Festival and The Royal Opera House. 

Traditional comedy and dance street performances, unusual interactive art installations and storytelling workshops all feature on the bill. 

Sponsored by Realis Estates, The Big Feast will hold events across the weekend in non-traditional arts venues such as yet-to-be-used units and giant inflatable whales. 

Speaking about this year’s highlights, Gary says: “I know Urban Astronaut by Highly Strung Performance is going to go down really well. Seeing an astronaut suspended 20 feet in the air above the high street should be very engaging. 

“Charlie O’Taney, Brooklyn Healer by The Miraculous Theatre Company does personal performances for audiences of up to only four people and it looks hilarious, as does Camper Van Of Love by New Art Club - a musical adventure about Cupid falling in love, based around a pink VM Camper Van. 

“I’m also really looking forward to the DIY Drive-In Cinema from Flatpack - where children can build their own cars and watch animated shorts. It’s something we haven’t done before.

“Each year, we try to introduce new elements. We fine-tune our content, to make it relevant, appealing and interesting, by looking at feedback about performers at arts festivals across the UK from our research team, Supper Club. 

"By having such a cross-section of Supper Club members, we get a much broader range of opinion and appeal. We take their feedback onboard and adapt our programme to make it appeal to all communities in the area.” 

Gary, who performed at Edinburgh Fringe in his youth, says it was through alternative arts routes that he first became interested in the industry. He believes that it’s vital that people who aren’t engaged in the arts still get a chance to be a part of it. 

“My favourite thing about The Big Feast is that people can see an entertaining and unusual performance without feeling pressured to put their hands in their pockets or understand the theoretical background of it. 

“It’s two days of fun, frivolity and feistiness, where people can stumble upon world-class performances in unusual locations.” 

The Big Feast returns to Stoke-on-Trent city centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August.

For more information, visit appetitestoke.co.uk

By Lauren Cox