Photographers: Lee Hawkins, Hristina, James@Example Mag, Simon Lewis, April Newman, Angus Rushworth, Joe Singh, Ray Whittaker, Mike Hale, Mairead McHugh, Rob Thomas, Ffion Roberts, Ian Palmer

BANTAM OF THE OPERA STAGE ~ THEATRICS BY DAY

The Bantam of the Opera will again be filled with a weekend of strange occurrences, enthralling theatre, jaw-dropping circus, side-splitting poetry, mesmerizing puppetry and more moments of magic than you can shake a stick at. Swing through the saloon doors and get stuck in – by day we’ll have theatre, dance and puppet-making workshops suitable for all audiences and by night sit back, relax and enjoy as the Bantam slowly morphs into the Velveteen Valley Cabaret.

The Fetch

Spellbinding puppetry company The Fetch (A tour de force of theatre – The Stage) will be making a welcome return with their beautiful bunraku puppets with shows, workshops and a very special surprise planned over the weekend…

*Bantam of the Opera Stage is happy to announce a partnership with Birmingham Guild of Students. Students from the Guild will be working closely with festival crew to gain more experience of operating lighting and sound over the three day theatre programme. Work experience crew from previous years have gone on to work at venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Britain’s Got Talent.

THE VELVETINE VALLEY ~ CABARET BY NIGHT

When the sun goes down over the farm the bright lights of the Velveteen Valley sparkle and shine in the Bantam of the Opera. Once the clock strikes twelve we bring you two nights of decadence and delight.

On Friday Night The Velveteen Valley takes you on a journey trough the decadent, fabulous and alternative world of Burlesque.

Hosted by Award winning, international Burlesque Artiste Hotcake Kitty! She will dazzle you as she bring you a plethora of burlesque beauties to our stage. Including……..Amber Rosia, Beulah Bell, Ursula Dares, Oh! Carolina, Twinkel Pink, Florence Fontaine,Tahlullah Manhattan,Bella Donna Berry

Saturday Night takes you into the wonderful world of all things Cabaret. Think more spangly circus entertainment spectacular than boring Butlin’s Blue coat.

Hosted but Nozstock favourite Ophelia Bitz, the voice of an angel but she also has the mouth of a filthy gutter- slut. Introducing……Owen Niblock, Baubo Belly Dancers and the Sun Dancers of Ra, Tom Hunt, More Burlesque darlings, Can-Can from the Red Hot Frilly Knickers and Pole Dancing from Bristol University. Playing out the night will be Disco Panther

 

INTERACTIVE WALKABOUT 

Don’t miss the walkabout interactive performances all weekend. They’ll be surprises round every corner. Let your eyes be boggled by the mind-bending performance artists who weave, wind, twizzle and sizzle their way through the weekend for your pure pleasure and astonishment. Expect plenty of surprises on site but what we can tell you about is…

Sock wrestling

The ultimate wrestling game, complete with sock facts, quizzes and sock trophies to be won!

Wild West High Noon Shoot Out

John Wayne can move aside. The Sheriff of Nozstock is busy keeping order at HQ while he devises his cunning plans. Meet the sheriff in the Dingle everyday at noon, walk twelve paces away from each other, and shoot! The first cowboy to get paint splattered wins. The Sheriff’s decision is final in this town.

The Turkey Twizzler Game

Fancy being ‘crowned’ with a handmade wattle? Of course you do. The game involves tarring (gunging) and feathering yourself in a Fun House scenario. The first one to wrap themselves in tin foil and hurl themselves into the oven to be roasted, wins. Meaty and basted, just the way we like you.

Cream Pie Fight

Cream Pie fight! Think Blazin Saddles in style, this year’s Noz sees our jailbirds create chaos, through the medium of pie, in your face. Taking place Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Follow the jailbirds sign. Location: DINGLE.

 

TENT OF TEMPORARY THOUGHT

Featuring wisdom, debate and opinion from all corners of the globe, come and test the bounds of your mind in this tent, here one minute, gone the next. Thought has never felt so fleeting, or maybe it has?

TALKS FROM

Aubrey De Grey

We don’t have to get sick as we get older…

If we can stop the physical deterioration that comes with age, molecular biologist Aubrey de Grey sees no reason why human beings shouldn’t live to be 1,000. Ageing is a physical phenomenon happening to our bodies, so at some point in the future, as medicine becomes more and more powerful, we will inevitably be able to address ageing just as effectively as we address many diseases today. Here he talks about the outcomes of such a future, and what this would mean ecologically and ethically.

POETRY  FROM

Sophia Walker

Sophia is a poet and teaching artist who tours Europe and the US, performing and being random. This summer she won the Edinburgh Book Festival Improv Slam and represented the UK at the international queer slam. When she grows up she wants to be purple.

Errol McGlashan

Errol McGlashan is a multiple slam winning, up and coming star making moves on the London Spoken Word scene. He is also the host of a new monthly performance poetry night at The Vibe Gallery in Bermondsey.

David Lee Morgan

A performance poet, saxophonist and winner of a fair few poetry slams including the 2010 Farrago UK Slam Championship, the London Slam Championship and the Soul City Arts I-Slam.

Stephanie Dogfoot

Started off scribbling rants in the margins of law textbooks and yelling them at drunk people in pubs and squats. The Singapore Slam Champion of 2010, her poems continuing to draw people in with their insight, compassion and just the right amount of awkwardness.

Matt Cummins

A familiar sight on the London open mic and slam scene over the last couple of years, Matt’s down to earth hip-hop flavoured poetry is always personal, sometimes funny, occasionally moving, but never less than honest.

PLEASE NOTE: Nozstock’s theatrics are kid-friendly all day until 8pm, with some specific children’s workshops and performances. Please bear in mind that programming after 8pm could contain profanity and graphic imagery.