Back To Ours Returns – Over Ten Acts In Eight Venues Over Six Days

Award-winning aerial acrobatics, stand-up comedy, poetry, interactive theatre, live music and sing along films are coming to the heart of Hull’s neighbourhoods for the second in a series of ground-breaking festivals.

Hull UK City of Culture 2017 has today announced the line-up of the hotly anticipated May half term Back To Ours (30 May to 4 June) ahead of the tickets going on sale next Thursday (27 April).

This follows the success of sell-out shows such as The Pigeon Detectives, Mark Thomas and Ceri Dupree in February half term.

Once again, Kingswood Academy, North Point Shopping Centre, Winifred Holtby Academy, The Freedom Centre, Archbishop Sentamu Academy, William Gemmell Club, Hymers College and Sirius Academy West will open their doors to welcome world class performers alongside local talent.

Tipping Point, which combines circus and visual theatre, promises to be one of the highlights of the programme. Performed by the UK’s leading aerial theatre company Ockham’s Razor, the show draws the audience close to the action, which veers from catastrophe to mastery.

Word on the Street, which premiered at Freedom Festival last year, will feature local poets alongside the likes of Thick Richard, who has performed at Glastonbury Festival, and poetry slam champ Vanessa Kissule, whose appearances include BBC Radio 1 and 4.

The Boy Who Bit Picasso and Yvette are two very different theatre shows based on true stories. The former, inspired by the book with the same name, is an interactive show for children from the age of three, which tells the story of a young boy who became friends with the greatest artist who ever lived. The latter is a one-woman show for over 14s with original music about a stolen childhood and growing up with a secret.

A stand-up show for children over six, The Funny Thing About sees James Campbell make fun of everything from couscous to penguins. Founder of Comedy 4 Kids, author of Boyface and as seen on Blue Peter (CBBC), James’ jokes are written and performed to get children and parents laughing out loud.

Music comes in the form of local bands Life, who are performing ahead of their appearances at Reading and Leeds festival, and Black Delta Movement and Audio Subscene, who recently performed at the P&O Ferries’ Made in Hull mini cruise.

Following the feast of Roald Dahl films at February’s Back To Ours, Picture House, will return. Sing along to Hakuna Matata and Circle of Life during The Lion King or You’re the One That I Want and Greased Lightning at Grease. Prior to the screenings, expect to meet your favourite characters, vocal warm-ups and of course a hand-jive competition. Fancy dress is encouraged.

Louise Yates, Back To Ours Artistic Director at Hull 2017, said: “The success of our first festival in February shows there is a real appetite for this kind of stuff so once again we are inviting people from all corners of the city Back To Ours.

“While it’s important that the city centre has loads on offer, we are committed to ensuring that everybody has the chance to participate in the year, regardless of accessibility needs or financial circumstances. With this in mind, Back To Ours delivers an eclectic mix of low-cost, quality entertainment practically on your doorstep.”

Tickets for the festival start from as little as £2.50 up to a maximum of £7.50 and will be available from www.hull2017.co.uk/back-to-ours from 10am next Thursday (27 April).

The festival is supported by Arts Council England, Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, The British Film Institute and Spirit of 2012. The programme has been developed in partnership with China Plate, Leeds International Film Festival, Film Hub North and Revolver.

Pete Massey, Director, North, Arts Council England said:

“Following the success of the first festival earlier this year, I’m delighted the Arts Council is continuing to support Back To Ours. We believe that everyone should have access to great art and culture, regardless of where they live.”

“Back To Ours is a fantastic example of this – bringing world-class entertainment at an affordable price to every corner of Hull, meaning residents from across the city can enjoy and take part in this exciting year.”