CIRCUS skills, dance and physical theatre were part of an exciting day of workshops and performance.

The event in Liskeard was the launch of the Bust to Boom project, part-funded by FEAST and Carn to Cove, and bringing together young people from around North East Cornwall.

The first day went off without a hitch and delighted audiences and participants alike, said a spokesperson for Liskeard School and Community College.

“Young people from Bodmin, Camelford and Liskeard came together to learn from professionals, to devise their own performances and to enjoy an evening of events with groups Prodigal UPG, Simple Cypher and Pirates of the Carabina.?

“Daytime workshops were also run at the school by Sally Robbins from Dance Centered in Liskeard, David Greeves and Ishita from Yskynna.

“There was aerial dance, using the permanent aerial rig at Liskeard. Simple Cypher ran a circus skills workshop, and Prodigal UPG introduced the young people to a workshop that really tested their balance and co-ordination.”

Students said they enjoyed learning something new and finding out how to use space more effectively. Many had not taken part in any group activities for a very long time because of lockdowns and COVID precautions. The group responded almost unanimously that they would like to experience more work like this and that they would like to continue to learn more about all the techniques and skills that they had sampled .

Evening performances were part of the Circus Round and About tour and were coordinated by Carn To Cove.

“With the Liskerrett Centre in Liskeard also supporting, the whole launch event successfully engaged our community and provided a range of new, high-quality opportunities for our young people,” said Liskeard School.

More workshops are now planned, with Launceston School also to participate as one of the four ‘Bodmin Moor gateway’ towns. It’s hoped to extend the workshops to younger Key Stage 2 pupils, and these could culminate in an event at the Sterts Theatre.?

FEAST, funded by Arts Council England and Cornwall Council, is a programme to make great art happen across Cornwall.

Harnessing the talents and energy of Cornwall’s artists and communities, the aim of FEAST projects and events is bringing people together to share cultural experiences as audiences or participants.