Now in its third year, the July Project aims to harness the interest of Calderdale’s “young people” – not allowing itself any easy way out, it seems to define the category as anything from tiny toddler to towering teenager.
Indeed it would be foolhardy to try and find any one ‘young person’ at whom this festival seems to be aimed: this is not a criticism, but an observation of the sheer breadth on offer in the programme.
The most sullen of teenagers will find their interest pricked by the author’s event with Melvin Burgess, the man behind highly controversial, Carnegie-winning novel, Junk, a cautionary (though never patronising) tale of teen drug addiction. There’ll also be a Battle of the Bands and an Ultimate Frisbee tournament to keep the harder-to-please end of the teen market happy.
Meanwhile, budding culture vultures can whet their appetites for some high-end entertainment with performances of Shakespeare’s As You Like It at Manor Heath, the English National Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Victoria Theatre, and experimental theatre from Grim Up North, with their Sins Of The Father, examining themes of post-religious society and the afterlife.
Younger kids (and their families) can all the while enjoy some of the country’s best kids’ theatre companies, with puppetry taking a starring role in several productions. Wild Wood Theatre will be presenting their take on classic folk tale The Frog Princess; whilst acclaimed company Horse + Bamboo return to Square Chapel with new production Little Leap Forward.
A packed programme of activities including plenty more theatre and dance performances and workshops, sports activities, kids’ stand-up, and more will all culminate in a gala weekend of entertainment for all. Eureka! will be throwing its doors open to all Calderdale residents, whilst the People’s Park hosts a free multi-arts festival.