IT IS a spectacular 60ft totem pole towering magnificently over Southampton and will be brought alive with music and colour this weekend.

Taking street theatre to a new level the structure of eight shipping containers stacked into a human shape will dominate the city’s skyline as one of the biggest events of the summer comes alive tomorrow night.

Organisers have been battling in this week’s rain to put the show together.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to see Mayflower Park filled with music, dance, acrobatics and pyrotechnics in a spectacular show.

Aerial acrobats will cascade from the ‘arms’ of the ‘Omni Ideal X’ figure, a nod to Southampton’s world famous port heritage, as audiences enjoy fizzing pyrotechnics and colourful visual surprises.

The event, an Art at the Heart project, came about as a result of a cross- Channel collaboration between The Nuffield and Generik Vapeur, who are also bringing Waterlitz to the Hat Fair in Winchester in July.

Councillor Warwick Payne, Southampton City Council Cabinet member for leisure services, said: “This huge free event follows our city’s tradition for exciting and inspiring outdoor free public events and we hope to be able to bring more events like this to Southampton in the future.

“It will be a night to remember!”

Pre-event activities from 8pm include a recycling workshop, picking up on the Waterlitz themes of dwindling natural resources and the part we can play in protecting the planet. There’s also entertainment from Sybil the Last Singing Siren and Southampton Ukelele Jam, plus a performance of Anchor Child by World Theatre.

Family activities including a drumming workshop, rodeo rides, face painting and food stalls will all be available in the run up to the main event, which starts at 10pm.

Car access to the park is restricted but parking is available at Leisure World, The Quays or WestQuay.