WITH just two weeks until the Be Newquay Festival begins, the festival is revealing more details on one of its weekend headliners, To The Moon and Back and its associated events.

To The Moon and Back is an immersive performance trail, which invites participants to explore spaces in Newquay town centre whilst uncovering fascinating stories of Newquay’s community and heritage.  

Created by Rob Mennear, artistic director of GRIT and founder of All Boys Dance, To The Moon and Back is a walking tour with a difference.

It combines dance, theatre, sound installation and projection to tell the stories of Newquay’s past whilst transforming forgotten or historical spaces into high quality immersive storytelling environments. It has been co-created by professional performers, designers, composers and members of the local community.

Over the coming weeks, there are a series of interactive workshops where local stories will be collected, and everything gathered from these workshops will be used in the final reveal: the immersive evening performance that is taking place over two evenings in November (Friday, November 15, at 7pm or Saturday, November 16, at 5pm and 8pm, performance) under the full moon.

The evening performances will feature silent disco headsets, live dance, storytelling 3D art and virtual reality. Participants will be guided through a two-hour adventure across Newquay town centre. During this time, people will meet characters, be guided through live performances and have a chance to add their very own story to the exhibitions and pop-up worlds. It is suitable for families and adventurers young and old but recommended for those aged eight years old and above.

If you want to participate in the workshops, they are suitable for any age and include:

On Friday, October 25, join a Moonscaping Sound workshop  at Newquay’s WI Hall. From 4.30pm to 5.30pm for families and 5.30 to 6.30pm for adults. Using a telescope and some amazing tech, meet moon sound-scaper Justin Wiggan and create your own moon tunes! It will be turned into a soundscape for the To The Moon & Back evening performances.

During half-term, on Monday, October 28, join the Spooky Story Collecting and look out for story collector Hannah, as she pops up around Newquay cafes, parks and the beach. Pass on a story that can be woven into the stories told during To The Moon & Back. Real or myth – but always spooky.

The first weekend of the festival (November 2 and 3)

There’s multiple workshops to take your pick from. On Saturday 2nd November, join A Shadow Play Workshop at Newquay’s WI Hall from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.  Led by Rob Mennear himself, try out shadow puppets, shape shifting, and window displays that reveal Newquay’s secret stories, real or myth. Following this, workshoppers can get further involved in the performance trail and community as a shadow performer.

On Sunday 3rd November join the Build a Secret World Craft Workshop at Newquay’s WI Hall from 12pm to 2pm.

Participants can build a mini 3D world where their memories, stories and imagination inspire the design. A shoe box of underwater beasts? A bottle full of stars? A vessel of memories? Led by Scamp, this is a lovely family-friendly activity.

Later in the day, join a Doodle and Stitch Craft Workshop at Newquay’s WI Hall from 2pm to 4pm.  Led by Meier Williams, all are invited to draw doodles, stitch patterns and add their messages to the giant moon parachute.

The parachute will feature in the show and will even be on display in Newquay after the project so it’s an opportunity to really make a mark.

The second weekend in November (9 to 10)

The creativity continues.  On Saturday, November 9, join the Play Party at VRCADE from 5pm – 7pm. Pizza and VR gaming, what could be better? Try out the VR experiences and give the team behind To The Moon and Back feedback on how to make it perfect ready for the big weekend shows

Then the pre-show workshops wrap up on Monday, November 11, with a Build a Secret World Craft Workshop at VRCADE from 4pm to 7pm. Help Scamp build a secret 3D world. Play with lights, cardboard sculptures and film projection ready for the trail at the weekend.

With limited spaces, make sure you book your tickets for the workshops, and the evening performance via C365 Box Office (the festival’s partner). It is at a secret start location (secret until you purchase your ticket).

Rob Mennear, artistic director of GRIT, said: “I speak on behalf of everyone involved when I say we are really excited to bring To The Moon and Back to life in Newquay.

“Our drive to amplify places and their stories so that people can connect at an emotional level with a location is at the core of what I do and this project is set to do exactly that. Via an immersive world, To The Moon and Back will enable visitors to look at Newquay’s town centre through new eyes.

“What’s unique about this is that it doesn’t hold the formality of your usual live performance, but the same rules apply as visiting a gallery, public garden or a festival. For the creatively curious, this truly special experience is not to be missed.”

The experience will involve walking from one building to another with rest stops and indoor activities along the way. It is advised that people come prepared for a steady walk and dress for the weather forecasted. There will be seating and guides provided on the night, with toilet stops and warm spaces in between the short walks.

This trail is accessible to those with stability walkers, buggies, walking sticks, guide dogs and wheelchairs, although there will be a few slopes and ramps in places.

To The Moon and Back is part of Be Newquay Festival – a new season of events, activities and workshops that celebrate Newquay’s culture and creative spirit.

Throughout each weekend in November, the festival will be taking place at various venues across the town.

The festival is made up of a diverse event programme, where local organisations take centre stage each weekend in November. Each weekend, a different organisation will take centre stage, each offering a unique array of experiences. Plus support from a variety of activities and events from other local businesses.

Many of the events throughout the festival are free to attend, making it accessible to all members of the community. For the full festival line-up, individual events, and booking details, check out our What’s On page: www.benewquayfestival.co.uk/events or see the Instagram account at @benewquay_festival for continual updates.

The Be Newquay Festival is commissioned by Cornwall Council’s project Experience Newquay and supported by Newquay BID and Visit Newquay. It is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.