11:59am Monday 29th June 2009
By Simon Carr
IT was an evening of free entertainment that brought hundreds of people into Southampton city centre.
The bizarre sight of colourful drummers playing 40 metres above the city streets which were then lit by a firework display has been hailed a huge success for organisers and spectators.
And now city leisure chiefs say the Midsummer Dreams show at Guildhall Square could be just the start of a series of similar events.
International street dance acts, plays put on by local schools, open air theatre, light shows and orchestral performances are among the events that could soon hit Southampton streets.
Hundreds gathered to see the show which marked the creation of the city’s cultural quarter.
Having worked up a pulsating beat among the crowd street performers and a trapeze artist ascended into the night sky.
As the event ended with rapturous applause, residents told the Daily Echo this was just the kind of show needed to revive the city’s neglected art scene.
It had been organised by the city’s Nuffield Theatre and funded by Southampton City Council.
John Hannides, council boss in charge of leisure, culture and heritage, promised this will be the first in a programme of events.
He said: “For too long Southampton has been punching under its weight as far as culture and heritage go.
“The plan is to bring exciting events to the city to help develop emerging talent and create something the city can be proud of.
He went on to say the national Cultural Olympiad on July 24 to 26 would be a chance to showcase what Southampton has to offer.
The programme is still being discussed but it may include art exhibitions, street theatre and a celebration of the city’s maritime and aviation history.
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