Seaside entertainers thrilling beachgoers on the Devon coast this summer
A new generation of seaside entertainers are thrilling beachgoers on the Devon coast this summer with fabulous tricks and jokes.
Arts Council funding means new apprentices have been able to learn stilt walking, juggling, hula-hooping, puppeteering and clowning, keeping these skills alive for a new generation and helping local economies.
The artists are putting on free performances across Devon this month, including at Dawlish and Exeter this week.
The training is provided by leading South-West outdoor entertainment organisation, Promenade Promotions (Prom-Prom). The four young performers have also learned business skills such as promotion, invoicing and setting yourself up as a self-employed artist.
The programme is designed to safeguard heritage performance skills for the future. Those picked to take part had intensive training in outdoor arts performance before joining Prom-Prom performers on the tour.
The project is led by Prom-Prom’s Artistic Director, Tony Lidington, a theatre history expert from the University of Exeter. Tony has worked in outdoor arts and street performance for over 40 years, specialising in seaside entertainment.
Dr Lidington said: “This project is in response to the growing demand for accessible, family friendly, seaside entertainment in the South West, and to address the lack of opportunity for young artists, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, to gain industry practice in professional seaside contexts. Coastal areas have been identified as areas of specific economic and social deprivation and are some of the most fragile environments within the South West. Creative initiatives are needed to relaunch the economy, retain talent and generate pride in place.”
Despite the increasing demand from seaside resorts for low-cost, al frescoentertainment, there are no other examples of professional seaside entertainment training opportunities in the UK.
Lucy Barralon (aka ‘Penny Plonk’), one of this year’s trainees said: “I love the intimacy and spontaneity of street performance and it allows so much opportunity to create special interactions with people”
Liv Wells (aka ‘Lady Primrose’), another of this year’s trainees said: “Performing the blade box trick is fun, it’s authentic and not something you see everyday. Street performing is a great way to spread joy. It feels especially important at the moment, not everyone can afford to go to the theatre so it’s a fantastic way for families to have a day out and access quality entertainment for free.”
You can catch ‘The Sunshine Follies’ and the wider Prom-Prom team this summer every Tuesday at Dawlish and every Friday at The Transit Shed at Exeter Quayside as part of Free Quay Fridays. They will be performing at the RAAM in Exeter on August 22.
