THE line-up for the region’s biggest outdoor arts festival has been announced and this year there will be fireworks, magic and a “ferocious outdoor storm,” as part of the fun.

Tens of thousands of people from across the north of England attend the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF)which is traditionally held in the town centre.

However this time the street festival, which typically costs about £400,000 with half the money coming from the Arts Council and half from Stockton Borough Council, will start in Preston Park at nearby Eaglescliffe for the first time.

The opening show of the 29th SIRF at Preston Park on Thursday, August 4 will be the anti-war Furious Folly which be set in ‘no man’s land’ in a battle zone and will include fireworks, sound, light and music and is part of Stockton’s First World War centenary commemorations.

From Friday, August 5 the festival will continue in Stockton Town Centre with the world premiere of The Ball Aperitif, presented by theatre ensemble Wet Picnic. A mysterious character by the name of Lord Monte Gredus offers an unforgettable dining experience at a secret location. Anyone interested in being in the audience should log on to sirf.co.uk

Festival regulars Avanti Display, as they return to perform in Stockton Town Centre throughout the weekend. The troupe will present a retrospective of their ‘greatest hits’ shows that have been created over the last 20 years and performed across the world.

There will also be a second world premiere, of outdoor theatre piece Caty Wompus in which a ferocious storm damages a battered home and Caty Wompus has to fight to save it.

Rounding off the weekend French masters of pyrotechnics and percussion Commandos Percu will present Le Concert de Feu on the riverside. The show will include fire, drumming, dance and fireworks. There will be a programme of performances from noon until 11pm each day.

Stockton council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, focused on the First World War commemoration. She said: “Furious Folly will serve as an apt reminder of those who fought and died in the Battle of the Somme, many of who were from Stockton. I’m sure it will be a very thought-provoking and poignant evening.”

Entry to the festival is free. Find out more at sirf.co.uk