Norfolk to Host Robert Wilson's WALKING and Circa's HOW LIKE AN ANGEL as Part of London Festival

A stretch of North Norfolk's wild and stunning coastline is to be transformed in Walking - a project led by the world renowned visual artist and theatre directors, Robert Wilson. Norwich Cathedral's medieval nave will provide the backdrop for the UK premiere of How Like An Angel – where Circa's contemporary circus skills will be performed to the exquisite sounds of Renaissance choral music from I Fagiolini. Tickets are now on sale for these two Norfolk & Norwich Festival commissions for the London 2012 Festival – the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

American visual artist Robert Wilson has used choreography, painting, sculpture and video on a number of celebrated collaborations including with composer Philip Glass on the operatic masterpiece Einstein on the Beach, which first premiered in Avignon France in 1976 and has been revitalised for performances at London's Barbican this May.

Now the internationally acclaimed director is turning his creative talents to Walking in collaboration with Dutch visual artist Theun Mosk and theatremaker Boukje Schweigman to set up the series of art installations along a three mile stretch of the Holkham Nature Reserve.

The aim of the project is to provide an escape from the demands of everyday life as participants are asked to hand over their mobile phones and car keys when they first arrive.

Participants will walk along the normally private path through woodland, meadows and dunes Along the way they will experience gigantic sculptural and sound installations, which will provide them with the opportunity to reflect on the surrounding landscape.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival producer Rosalind Coleman said: "This will be an exhilarating experience. The chance to get away from hectic everyday life, and spend some time in the contemplative space of Robert Wilson's massive sculptural installations in the breathtaking setting of the north Norfolk coast. This is about leaving everything behind you, letting go and giving yourself the space and time to be totally aware of the micro-detail of the environment and those things that can normally pass you by."

How Like an Angel will similarly take audience members on a contemplative theatrical experience – an interplay of music and physical movement, which is both intimate and beautiful.

Members of internationally acclaimed Circa will perform challenging and stunning moves in spaces and shadows around the cathedral to the sounds of I Fagiolini's 16thand 17thchoral music.

How Like an Angel is conceived and directed by Circa's Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz in collaboration with Robert Hollingworth and his acclaimed vocal ensemble I Fagiolini.

Lifschitz's vision for the piece is for audience members to walk around the cathedral to discover performances in the dark spaces and shadows of the cathedral building and climaxes in the blazing illumination of medieval architecture.

Circa's aerial performers will be propelled into the cathedral's high open spaces, with the singers of I Fagiolini spread throughout the building below.

How Like an Angel will start at Norwich cathedral with the UK premiere on Tuesday, June 26 and followed by further performances on Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28 before going onto some of the UK's other finest cathedrals in Ely, Gloucester and Ripon.

Walking will take place on Holkham Nature Reserve from Monday 20 August to Sunday 2 September.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival's Artistic Director William Galinsky said: "Norfolk & Norwich Festival's two projects for the London 2012 Festival will together reflect and respond to some of the region's most stunning natural and built environments, redefining the way in which we experience this unique part of the world."

"We are enormously proud to be part of the London 2012 cultural celebrations," said Norfolk & Norwich Festival Executive Director, Alison McFarlane. "These events are of international importance, showing once again that Norfolk is fast becoming one of the world's cultural innovators."

Tickets for How Like an Angel cost £20. Tickets for Walking cost £15. They will be on sale from April 26. Tickets are available through our website: www.nnfestival.org.uk or by phone 01603 766400 or in person at Norwich Theatre Royal.

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