‘Thrilling & diverse’: Freedom Festival 2023 to get underway
ACROBATIC: We Agree to Disagree
By Rick Lyon
Freedom Festival gets underway this week, with visitors promised a “thrilling and diverse” programme of entertainment.
Tens of thousands of people are once again expected to attend the five-day international arts festival, set to unfold across numerous indoor and outdoor venues in both Hull and, for the first time, Bridlington.
This year’s festival, from Wednesday, August 30 to Sunday, September 3, will showcase a range of UK premieres and perennial festival favourites.
To enhance the visitor experience, the festival’s app is now live, offering assistance in viewing and locating performances.
Mikey Martins, Artistic Director and CEO of Freedom Festival Arts Trust, said: “This year, our thrilling and diverse programme launches on August 30 and culminates with a grand finale across multiple Hull city centre locations at the weekend. The entire city centre, along with Stage@The Dock and various indoor venues, will serve as our stage.
“We are delighted to introduce Freedom on Tour for the first time in the festival’s 16-year history, extending our reach to Bridlington on Thursday, August 31. Local audiences will experience renowned international performances, which are central to our main festival every year.”
The expansive line-up will include over 120 performances, along with musical artists and exhibitions spanning the course of the five-day event at various locations including Zebedee’s Yard, Hull Truck Theatre, streets and venues in and around the Old Town, Murdoch’s Connection, and the Museums Quarter. Freedom Talks will be held at the University of Hull’s Middleton Hall on Thursday and Friday and Social on Humber Street on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
This year’s festival will include the spectacle titled UNITY by Gorilla Circus. The show is set to captivate audiences on both Friday and Saturday evenings at Hull’s Albion Street car park.
FAMILY FUN: HIPPOS
Adrenaline enthusiasts will be able to enjoy Resiste, Unity, EXIT, Encore Un Fois, We Agree to Disagree and Primus – all featuring some of the finest acrobatic, dance and contemporary circus artists currently touring the world.
Family comedy and theatre-style shows will include Circle, Funny Business, HIPPOS and Fast Food Megaverse, alongside the entire circus and dance programme.
Important discussions will be the focus of exhibitions hosted at Princes Quay’s event space, Ferens Art Gallery, 18 Whitefriargate, Hepworth Arcade, Bond 31, Wilberforce Institute and Wilberforce House Gardens.
Mikey said: “We revel in seeing the city come alive every year, affording our audiences the chance to engage with exceptional artists from around the world.
“We urge everyone, whether familiar faces or newcomers, to explore the festival app and personalise their festival experience before it starts.
“The bulk of our programme is free of charge, to enable everyone to partake in the enchantment. We have also curated an exciting array of ticketed shows, featuring exclusive UK premieres and special events.
“We’ve introduced a Pay What You Can model to a couple of shows, a concept that champions inclusiveness while also encouraging essential funding to enable us to sustain the festival.”
You can download the festival guide here.