Sun shines on Streets of Rye

The sunny bank holiday weekend saw the launch of the first Streets of Rye event. This is part of a series of events taking place in Rother in spring and brought Rye to a standstill with raucous family-friendly street theatre.

Event highlights included the hilarious Wardens, by the 2 Men whose mischievous antics spared not even a newly married couple.

Amy Amelia Arts “Magical Butterfly” took to the cobbled streets with her mesmerising juggling ball, leaving members of the public amazed at her very unusual skills.

Fair Play Comedy’s East End rogues “Ron and Don” supplied an element of comedy with their wheeler-dealer ways plus the Grand Theatre of Lemmings’ “Cod Choir” surprised bank holiday shoppers as the cheeky fishermen displayed their larger-than-life fish. Local  bonfire society drummers Ryebellion kicked off the festival in style.

Unsuspecting visitors to Rye were delighted with their interactions with the artists, one saying: “My favourites were the two traffic wardens, they were hilarious.”

Further events within the series include the Puddings and Pathways Festival, a celebration of the newly regenerated 1066 Pathways, which will incorporate a 1066-themed commission by street theatre artists Circo Rum Baba. The walk will start at St Thomas the Martyr Churchyard in Winchelsea, passing Wickham Manor Farm, and ending at The Queens Head in Icklesham on May 14, which will produce a 1066 themed pudding called Queen Edith scones.

Further “Street” events include Streets of Battle which will take place on May 7 and Streets of Bexhill on May 28. The events are Arts Council funded and supported by local councils.

For more information, please visit the Streets Facebook page: facebook.com/battlestreetarts.

Image Credits: Sara-Louise Bowrey .