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Jul 21, 2023

Magical outdoor giant puppet show to light up Weymouth

Weymouth’s Dusk ‘til Dark puppet show returns soon.... with a French twist. The event will take place in the evenings of Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 from 7.00pm, and this year will

Weymouth’s Dusk ‘til Dark puppet show returns soon.... with a French twist.

The event will take place in the evenings of Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 from 7.00pm, and this year will include a performance from French company Transe Express and its parade show Poupées Géantes, or in English, giant dolls.

The French puppet group has toured across Europe this year, from Spain to Germany, with Weymouth’s performance the only shows scheduled in the United Kingdom.

The free to attend event will mark the finale of the county-wide Inside Out Dorset festival.

Promised to be a magical performance, thousands are expected to line the streets over the two nights, with three giant dolls singing and gliding magically through the town centre, turning Weymouth into its own opera house and performing classical scores from Bizet, Mozart and Verdi.

Accompanying the puppets will be a procession of Les Tambours, a band of drumming toy soldiers who march alongside them, providing the rhythmic backing to the puppets.

The event, sponsored by We Are Weymouth, in partnership with Active Performing Arts has already brought the likes of Dundu and Worldbeaters to Weymouth in 2021, before Peixos the giant fish made its way through the town centre in 2022.

Executive and artistic director of Activate, Kate Wood, said: “Transe Express are a spectacular French company who will light up the town with their theatrical show that promises extraordinary singing, drumming and giant dolls.”

Dawn Rondeau, We Are Weymouth’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “This is one of our favourite events of the year here at We Are Weymouth and we’re very proud to be the main sponsor of Dusk 'til Dark once again.

"This year, we welcome Poupées Géantes to the town. Three 15ft high dolls will glide through the streets and over The Town Bridge, illuminated and singing the world’s most famous opera arias.

"This incredible event brings the performing arts to the streets of Weymouth and allows an immersive experience to all."

The full route will be announced in the lead-up.

Puppets and art-work created over summer workshops with Activate will be displayed in shops throughout the town to bring the community together in the build-up to Poupées Géantes.