News

Arts by the Sea, the South West’s largest free celebration of art, culture, people and place,  has today announced four eccentric acts joining the 2025 festival, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September.

From surreal falconry to live techno in poodle suits, these new performances bring fresh perspectives to this year’s festival theme: WE ARE HERE, a celebration of identity, community and the power of presence.

Falconry Dismay by Dizzy O’Dare is a spoof outdoor falconry display that blends absurd comedy with unexpected educational moments. Performed by fictional bird handler Kevin Tickle, the show parodies traditional wildlife demonstrations with a cast of entirely imaginary birds. With no real animals involved, audiences can expect a humorous, high-energy performance that playfully mixes humour with surprising facts, introducing tongue-in-cheek insights into bird behaviour and flight techniques.

Dogshow is an experimental music performance combining live techno, jazz and surreal movement. Performed by two brothers in poodle costumes, the act offers an eccentric, high-impact experience that fuses rave culture with physical theatre. With choreographed howling, costume-led characterisation and dynamic live music, the performance invites audiences to engage in a playful exploration of identity and self-expression.

Two new works supported by Without Walls, who champion innovation and diversity in outdoor arts across the UK, will also feature at this year’s festival. The Journey by Perhaps Contraption is a promenade performance combining pop music, physical theatre, choral harmony and British Sign Language. Featuring multi award-winning brass musicians and BSL poet-dancer Hearns Sebuado, the travelling performance explores themes of community, joy and shared experience. 

Also supported by Without Walls is World Kiosk by Variable Matter, a large-scale sound and light installation that encourages reflection on identity and belonging. Featuring immersive audio clips collected from local and international communities, World Kiosk offers an intimate space for conversation, connection and contemplation.

Andrea Francis, Festival Director, said: “These acts embody the message of WE ARE HERE in such bold and surprising ways, whether that be through humour, dance, music or reflection. From the joyful anarchy of Dogshow to the intimacy of World Kiosk, each offers a different kind of presence. Together, they invite audiences to take up space, celebrate identity and feel a true sense of belonging.”

Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communications, said: “Arts by the Sea continues to be a beacon of creativity and inclusivity for the BCP region. These acts showcase the festival’s power to bring communities together through shared experiences that are both meaningful and accessible to all.”

Arts by the Sea is a free festival that brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre, participatory experiences and much more, in one unique and celebratory event. It is founded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.