Thousands enjoying spectacle of circus and street arts at Great Yarmouth’s Out There Festival

Shirley Grimwood of Bury St Edmunds with grandson Jefferson, 3, enjoying the sunshine at the Great Yarmouth Out There Festival. (Image: Archant)

Performances provoked cheers, laughter and spontaneous applause as performers in the Out There Festival brought a party atmosphere into St George's Park, the town centre and seafront.

The event, which continues until Sunday evening, opened this morning in bright sunshine encouraging spectators to watch the many 'arena' performances in the park; some using the part-finished but opened fountain bar in the centre.

Several generations were represented in the visitors, many from out of the area including Rose Beeston and David Coppini from Worcester who had booked in at a Yarmouth hotel the weekend especially to see what the festival was like.

Rose explained: 'We came especially. I am involved in outdoor arts where we come from so wanted to see what was going on here.'

Grandmother Shirley Grimwood had three generations of her family with her. They are from Bury St Edmunds.

'We were here for the Maritime Festival last weekend and now this festival and have been lots of time. It is wonderful. We love everything about it; the acts and feeling of everyone being together.

'We love coming here.'

Shirley said the family had been staying at Haven Seashore park.

One of the acts attracting a lot of attention was the Nofit State Circus and Motionhouse performances on a block; 20 oversized blocks are deconstructed to create a variety of shapes for the performers to play on move presenting a performance about living in the city and its cracks and crevices.

The seafront saw mysterious characters with high impact drumming, dynamic choreography go on walkabout on the seafront as well as in the park.

The festival, organised by Great Yarmouth-based Seachange Arts continues tonight and until tomorrow evening.