Harewood Goes Urban for the Olympics 11th to 12th August 2012

‘Games in the Park’ events have been taking place around the region this summer to celebrate all things Olympic.  Games in the Park is part of ‘Imove’, Legacy Trust UK’s celebratory programme for Yorkshire and part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Legacy Trust UK is an independent charity set up to create a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.

Games in the Park at Harewood House in August is a chance to see Harewood as you’ve never seen it before.  Freerunning@ is an extraordinary freerunners’ outfit that will show you some of the most extraordinary stunts using the landscape and architecture of Harewood.  It’s perfect for teens to get their blood racing, and includes urban performances from this top freerunner group showcasing their energetic choreography which combines acrobatics and martial arts.

http://www.youtube.com/share_popup?v=hRV3AGkGsA4  You can even have a go yourself with our Freerunning@ workshops (pre-bookable).  Check the website for times of performances.

The event also boasts a combination of traditional games with contemporary culture and dance, mixing family-friendly activities, poetry workshops, storytelling and performances from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Ticket details are as follows:

Adult: £10.00, Senior Citizen: £9.00, Child: £6.00, Family: £30.00, Student: £6.00.

(Family Ticket = 2 adults and up to 3 children (aged 4-16). Children under 4 are free.)

Tickets for this event include entrance to the Grounds and this event is free to Harewood Members.

Become a member and enjoy either an annual membership, or enjoy a ‘7 Weeks of Summer’ membership.  Visit visit www.harewood.org/membership.

Jaw-dropping free running show set to bring high-octane exhilaration for the whole family to the UK in summer 2012

This summer some of Britain’s best loved Stately Homes, parks and leisure centres will provide the back-drop to Freerunning@, a spectacular open-air street dance production. The show brings together some of the world’s best free runners, martial artists and multiple world record holders in an awe-inspiring display of extreme sports athleticism, agility and acrobatics. Venues include Holkham Hall and Harewood House..

Showcasing the kind of thrilling action made famous by street dance troupes like ‘Diversity’, film scenes such as the opening of ‘Casino Royale’, genre defining programmes like ‘Jump London’ (http://bit.ly/HV56XM) and the BBC’s remarkable ‘Rush Hour’ sequence (http://bit.ly/qHqPr) , the show uses exhilarating music, eye-popping staging and stunning choreography to create a spectacle for all the family.

Featuring Creative Director and triple Guinness World Record holder Sam Parham (Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Harry Potter, Woman In Black), the show tells the story of Jake, a homeless teenager who teaches himself Free Running. A successful open audition as a film stunt extra gives Jake his big break, but as punishing schedule filming action scenes get underway he realises how much he still has to learn from the likes of stunt coordinator and martial arts expert Scarlett - played jointly by Guinness world record holder Chloe Bruce (Harry Potter, Clash of the Titans 2) and sister Grace Bruce (Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows). When filming is thrown into crisis, Jake is faced with the biggest challenge of his life, both personally and professionally.

This is the first Free Running theatrical tour to be staged in the UK, which will bring together some of the leading performers in the art. Free Running or Parkour has exploded in popularity over the past few years, with more than 500,000 videos currently on YouTube. It is also set to feature in the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Representing great value for money, audiences at the shows will be able to take in the fantastic surroundings, visit the homes and grounds and enjoy a picnic before the show. There will also be workshops at selected venues, where adults and children have a once in a lifetime opportunity to try out some moves for themselves under the expert guidance of the world-renowned cast!

The show is fully interactive, with audience members becoming part of the production as ‘extras’ in the filming scenes and at other times able to get close up to the action and see the incredible moves first-hand. It is the first production of its kind, combining classical music with contemporary beats to reflect the changing scenes, fusing street-dance with Free Running, choreography with improvisation and the heritage backdrops of the houses with the most exciting street-style action. (see a preview video here: http://bit.ly/HYALq6).

Speaking about the tour, producer Susannah Daley said: “Free Running is one of the most exciting extreme sports around at the moment. It will feature in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony and is being promoted as an official sport by the Mayor of London. These athletes are remarkable and audiences of all ages will be able to enjoy their agility, strength and athleticism in an exhilarating show in fantastic settings. Whether you’re young or old, this show has something for everyone and is a great way to entertain the kids during the summer holidays.”

Freerunning@
24th Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
25th Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
11th Harewood, Leeds, North Yorkshire
12th Harewood, Leeds, North Yorkshire

For ticket prices please contact:
Harewood Tel: 0113 218 1000
Holkham Hall Tel: 01328 7131111