Arts by the Sea illuminates Bournemouth

While the core of the Arts by the Sea Festival programme takes place outdoors there is a wealth of talent on show at such renowned venues as Shelley Theatre and Pavilion Dance and more under-the-radar locations like St Peter’s Church and the Old Firestation.

A host of critically acclaimed shows are coming to town while in the Dark Room, you can play the world’s first live-action text-based adventure game. Morgan & West’s Time-Travelling Magicians will amaze and astound you with their mind boggling tricks and sorcery.

Festival Goers can enjoy a free weekend at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum or enjoy Suddenly Last Summer, a combined creative exhibition by the class of 2017 at Arts University Bournemouth ‘s galleries. Local artist Harriet Muller explores this year’s Arts by the Sea theme, Plastic Beach , creating beautiful seascapes and creatures using recycled plastics in her exhibition Aquastic , running throughout the Festival at Pavilion Dance .

Cinema lovers will be entertained at The Ocean Film Short Sounds Film Festivals (part of The Fringe platform) and environmentally themed screenings , Bikes vs Cars and A Plastic Ocean at Shelley Theatre.

Party animals , young and old, also have somewhere to go – the award winning Big Fish Little Fish will be entertaining the under 8s and their parents with Surf’s Up , Family Rave while the grown ups can dance the night away at the Opening Party , Glitter not Litter!