A bumbling artist. A ruined masterpiece. Less than 50 minutes to create a new one. Things are about to get messy!

THEATRE PERFORMANCE
By Brymore Productions

International children's theatre makers, Brymore Productions, return from the Edinburgh Fringe with their ode to creativity, ARTISTE. Witness this interactive exhibition of physical comedy and crafty clowning, as our Artist attempts to create a masterpiece in less than 50 minutes. Mr Bean meets the Mona Lisa in this high-energy, paint-splattered comedy suited for the young and young at heart.

Fun for the whole family at the seven hills hub courtyard

CIRCUS WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES AND MORE!

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts

Kids and families are invited to Backbone for a day chockful of free events!

Highlights include:

• Free Circus Workshop. Learn juggling, play with hula hoops, and get skipping with world-renowned circus artist, Chelsea McGuffin.

• Outdoor Performances

• And More!

Everyone has their own obstacle course

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Grace Longwill

Being a human with a body can be its own kind of challenge. Stubbed toes, bumped foreheads, grazed knees- mundane and frustrating injuries that do nothing but slow you down. Obstacle heightens the everyday, transforming the frustrating and mundane ordeal of having a body into a series of playful challenges, that the audience can choose to watch or participate in, with freedom to play on the installation for the length of the festival! Let your ironically named host, Grace, encourage you to embrace the ridiculous, make glorious messes, and transform failure into fun, while telling some of her own story along the way. Everyone has their own obstacle course- but it doesn’t mean we have to run it alone. 

IT’s TIME FOR A TAKEOVER!

A FULL DAY OF WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES AND MORE

From Digi Youth Arts

Our friends at Digi Youth Arts are taking over the Seven Hills hub for a full day of Backbone Festival. Watch this space for a stocked line up of workshops, performances and more!

Everyone has their own obstacle course

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Grace Longwill

Being a human with a body can be its own kind of challenge. Stubbed toes, bumped foreheads, grazed knees- mundane and frustrating injuries that do nothing but slow you down. Obstacle heightens the everyday, transforming the frustrating and mundane ordeal of having a body into a series of playful challenges, that the audience can choose to watch or participate in, with freedom to play on the installation for the length of the festival! Let your ironically named host, Grace, encourage you to embrace the ridiculous, make glorious messes, and transform failure into fun, while telling some of her own story along the way. Everyone has their own obstacle course- but it doesn’t mean we have to run it alone. 

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Jacob Watton

Two best friends get ready to go out on their big adventure to the beach. But what will they need? Swimmers so they can get in the water? Sunscreen for slipping, slopping and slapping? Maybe there will be pirates at the beach so they of course need to bring their swords. They will need some help to get ready for their big beach adventure so come ready to help out! The Great Beach Adventure is a side-splitting-ly funny, family outing that you won’t soon forget. Whether it’s painting Jacob in sunscreen so he doesn’t get burnt or helping Courtney prepare for her underwater expedition with the fish. The whole family will be screaming and shouting for more. Who knows, maybe after the show YOU will be ready for your very own Great Beach Adventure.

Open your eyes to the world of young talent!

OPEN MIC

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts

Are you under 18 with a talent to share with the world? We want YOU! Backbone is hosting the inaugural Eyes Wide Open Mic to welcome Young People to the stage to show off their skills. We want Young Artists from any discipline; theatre, music, comedy, drag, poetry, cosplay, storytelling and everything in between.

Backbone Youth Arts has over 35 years of history championing the voices and artistry of Young People, empowering Young Artists with the tools to tell their own stories and create their own work.  Eyes Wide Open Mic aims to give young artists the agency to make their own creative decisions and fuel their passion for the performing arts and storytelling.

Follow the link below to register your talent now!

(Noun). A public announcement dealing with a matter of great importance.

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Ipswich Girls Grammar School Senior Drama Club

Directed by Maisie Crosdale

Written by Maisie Crosdale & Ipswich Girls Grammar School Senior Drama Club

Facilitated by Maisie Crosdale and Martelle Simon-Green 

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts

This is our proclamation.

You get one chance to ask what you want. What do you say? How do you ask the perfect question about the world? What happens when it's not the answer you were hoping for.

How can we learn to make our own opinions and OWN them?

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Jacob Watton and Courtney Wagner

Two best friends get ready to go out on their big adventure to the beach. But what will they need? Swimmers so they can get in the water? Sunscreen for slipping, slopping and slapping? Maybe there will be pirates at the beach so they, of course, need to bring their swords. They will need some help to get ready for their big beach adventure so come ready to help out! The Great Beach Adventure is a side-splitting-ly funny, family outing that you won’t soon forget. Whether it’s painting Jacob in sunscreen so he doesn’t get burnt or helping Courtney prepare for her underwater expedition with the fish. The whole family will be screaming and shouting for more. Who knows, maybe after the show YOU will be ready for your very own Great Beach Adventure.

Tune in, the trees are whispering…

RADIO PLAY

Created by Backbone’s Young Creators (Skill Builders)

Written by Martelle Simon-Green and Maisie Crosdale

For Backbone Youth Arts 2023

There was once a magical tree that had stood tall and proud since the dawn of time and it remained hidden to those who did not know its magical secret… until a young girl named Lily hears a voice. Follow Lily on a journey of enchantment, trickery, and a lot of quick thinking as she discovers the mystical secrets of the First Tree.

The First Tree was created in collaboration with Backbone’s Young Creators, during our Skill Builders Workshops (Age 8-11). This work is a site-specific radio play - meaning participants were asked to gather inspiration, locations and even sound effects from the Seven Hills Hub and its surrounding environment to create their radio play. 

Everyone has their own obstacle course

INTERACTIVE THEATRE PERFORMANCE

By Grace Longwill

Being a human with a body can be its own kind of challenge. Stubbed toes, bumped foreheads, grazed knees- mundane and frustrating injuries that do nothing but slow you down. Obstacle heightens the everyday, transforming the frustrating and mundane ordeal of having a body into a series of playful challenges, that the audience can choose to watch or participate in, with freedom to play on the installation for the length of the festival! Let your ironically named host, Grace, encourage you to embrace the ridiculous, make glorious messes, and transform failure into fun, while telling some of her own story along the way. Everyone has their own obstacle course - but it doesn’t mean we have to run it alone. 

TIME TO WAKE UP BACKBONE FESTIVAL 2023!

OPENING NIGHT EVENT

At Backbone Youth Arts

Join us to celebrate the first night of Backbone Festival at the Seven Hills Hub! With performances from your favourites Richie LeStrange, Thalia Novela, and more!

Let’s kick off Backbone Festival with a bang!