Domino effect booked for Newcastle festival
An internationally-renowned artwork will wind its way around the city to offer a memorable finale to the NOVUM summer festival
A large-scale domino run is set to sweep through Newcastle city centre this summer, transforming streets and public spaces into a moving chain of sculptural performance.
Dominoes Newcastle will take place on Sunday, August 9, forming the headline finale of this year’s NOVUM Summer Festival (Aug 7-9).
Presented by internationally acclaimed performance company Station House Opera, the ambitious project - which has been seen all over the world in locations including Melbourne, Toronto, Copenhagen and Marseille - will see thousands of breezeblocks carefully arranged across the city before being toppled in a single, continuous chain reaction.
Stretching from east to west, the route will wind through Newcastle’s streets, public spaces and venues, even incorporating dramatic drops from buildings and pauses for large-scale sculptural structures.
The result aims to be both visually striking and deeply communal - a city-wide artwork experienced in real time.
And while the finished piece sounds like it will certainly be a sight to see, the project has a huge participatory element too.
More than 300 volunteers will work together to build the domino route, creating what organisers describe as a shared moment that connects neighbourhoods, landmarks and communities across the city. Thousands more are expected to line the route to watch the chain reaction unfold.
Julian Maynard Smith, Station House Opera’s artistic director, said: “After touring the world with our city-wide spectacle Dominoes, we are excited to bring it to the streets and people of Newcastle.
“Linking new and old, public and private; the spaces of the city centre will be brought together in a single connecting action of joyous disruption, and we invite all to witness it.”
The concept may be simple, but its scale is anything but. Dominoes has already been staged in more than 20 cities worldwide, taking in major international landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral, the National Museum of Denmark, the Royal Swedish Opera House and Melbourne Town Hall.
Its arrival in the North East will be the first time it has been seen in the region.
Jim Mawdsley, principal advisor for events and culture at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’re delighted that we will be presenting NOVUM this summer, with Dominoes Newcastle as a truly spectacular centrepiece that will transform the city in a memorable and meaningful way.
“Events like this capture the imagination, bringing people together to experience our streets, spaces and landmarks in new and unexpected ways.
“Newcastle is at the heart of a bold cultural resurgence. Our ambitious 10-year cultural events programme is helping to drive the rapid growth of the city’s creative sector, strengthening the local economy while giving artists, freelancers and communities a powerful platform to share their talent with the world. NOVUM sits at the very heart of that vision.
“Dominoes Newcastle is a fantastic example of how large-scale cultural events can animate the city, celebrate local participation and create shared moments that people will remember for years to come – giving residents and visitors alike exciting new reasons to experience Newcastle.”
Visitors will be able to engage with the event throughout the day. From 2.30pm to 5pm, the public can walk the route as it is constructed, encountering sculptural installations and watching the intricate setup process unfold.
The domino run itself will begin at 4.30pm, with audiences encouraged to find a vantage point along the route. Maps will be made available via the NOVUM website from early June across the festival weekend.
Ian Thomas, chief operating officer at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to see the city being animated and united in such a unique way, and this is an excellent example of the unique experiences our destination has to offer.
“Newcastle is teeming with personality, character and creativity, and Dominoes is the perfect moment for residents and visitors alike to be able to explore this.
“This event builds on the city’s growing reputation as a creative and cultural hub and showcases the fantastic energy and personality that people witness when they visit Newcastle which creates lasting memories and leaves them wanting to return time and time again.”
The NOVUM Summer Festival itself will offer a three-day programme running from August 7-9, promising to transform the city centre into a vibrant mix of performance, music and creative activity.
Members of the public interested in taking part can apply for one of the 300 volunteer roles helping to build the domino route - offering a hands-on opportunity to contribute to what promises to be a memorable moments of the summer. To express an interest in getting involved, email novum@newcastle.gov.uk