All the towns a circus
Along with the No Fit State professionals, there were local performers from Kennet District Gymnastics Club, aerial fitness group Spin City and some enthusiastic hula hoopists, who helped out and performed as part of the main show.
An estimated five thousand people actively engaged with the spectacle over four two-hour performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Many of the spectators took the opportunity to try their hand at juggling, hula hooping, tightrope walking and the braver gave the trapeze a go, all under guidance from the professional circus performers.
Around another five thousand local shoppers were surprised by the acrobatic feats as the circus unrolled around them.
Some local stores reported an upturn in footfall over the weekend.
One of the Corn Exchange’s twitter followers said: “Newbury is buzzing to the sound of No Fit State, who are turning the whole town into a circus”, while another was impressed that “Newbury brakes record for Deckchair jumping today! Circus here in our High-street”.
Steve Ambrose, from Heath End, Newbury, enjoyed the show with his daughter Emily, aged 10.
He said: “It was great to see such an event in heart of the town. No Fit State were great fun to watch as they moved the crowds up and down Northbrook Street.
“Emily was amazed at the acrobatics and enjoyed joining in with the tight rope lessons, hula-hooping and skipping rope classes.”
Funded by Greenham Common Trust and Arts Council England, Open House was the latest free event presented as part of the Corn Exchange’s outdoor events programme.
The venue takes performance to a wider audience by presenting open-air events all year round in the centre of Newbury and the locality.
