This July, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will become the stage for an extraordinary programme of contemporary circus as Circus in Motion invites audiences to experience one of the UK’s most iconic heritage sites in a completely new way.

Produced by Crying Out Loud in partnership with Portsmouth Historic Quarter, the free event takes place on 17 and 18 July from 4.30pm and forms part of The Point Is Portsmouth, our city-wide programme celebrating Portsmouth100.

Rather than gathering around a single stage, visitors will be encouraged to wander through the Dockyard, discovering performances unfolding across its historic spaces. Along the way, audiences will encounter aerial theatre, tightwire, vertical dance, acrobatics, physical theatre and interactive works from leading contemporary circus artists from across the UK and Europe.

The programme brings together an exciting mix of performances. Renowned Spanish company OSADÍA will present their playful interactive work Whose Hair Dares, inviting audiences to become part of the artwork through live creative hairstyling. Acclaimed UK artist Poppy Plowman brings a contemporary tightwire performance exploring storytelling, balance and connection, while If Circus presents Melic, a poetic aerial work inspired by memory, craft and community.

Ahead of the performances, local residents will take part in creative weaving workshops with If Circus, helping create elements that will become part of the live show.

Also featured is Zarbia by Company Zid, an acrobatic production inspired by Moroccan culture and the tradition of travelling storytellers, alongside a spectacular finale from Barcelona-based vertical dance company Delrevés, whose performers use architecture itself as their stage in breathtaking performances that defy gravity.

Rachel Clare, Artistic Director of Crying Out Loud, said:

“When people hear the word circus, they often picture something very traditional – a big top, a ringmaster, a particular kind of spectacle. Circus in Motion invites audiences to leave those expectations behind.

“This is contemporary circus at its most inventive – visually bold, breathtaking and emotionally engaging. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a place full of stories, movement and clever engineering, making it a fascinating setting for artists whose work explores risk, daring and human connection.”

The event also reflects our ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for people to encounter contemporary circus in unexpected places, bringing artists and audiences together through ambitious outdoor experiences.

Visitors are encouraged to spend the evening exploring the Dockyard at their own pace, with street food and refreshments available throughout both evenings.

Circus in Motion is free to attend, although your donations are welcome.

We look forward to welcoming audiences to discover Portsmouth Historic Dockyard through a fresh perspective and experience contemporary circus in motion.

Circus in Motion is produced by Crying Out Loud in partnership with Portsmouth Historic Quarter.