Celebrated Festival Receives £30,000 Funding For Exciting Theatrical Adventure
One of the North-East’s most celebrated festivals has received a £30,000 grant to create and deliver a brand-new theatrical experience for audiences in Tees Valley and County Durham.
The Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance (BIFF) has received support through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme for The Tapestry of Voices that will be staged at Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens (28th November 2026) and ARC – Stockton Arts Centre (6th February 2027).
The Tapestry of Voices will be a whirlwind adventure of international dance theatre, live music and story-telling, all inspired by peoples’ desire to seek out and achieve their dreams!
The Tapestry of Voices follows on from the Festival’s sell-out performances of Departing at 18:25, which was inspired by the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Picture the scene. Two young explorers enter the exciting world of the Museum of Voices. They stumble across a curious treasure chest that unknown to them will change their lives forever. Opening the relic propels them on a journey of discovery and knowledge as they perceive generations of heritage inspired by instrumental moments in time.
The assembled professional cast complied of talented performers from up and down the land will be lifting the lid on the past and propel the audience on a theatrical voyage they will never forget.
The Tapestry of Voices is a window into a world that has shaped our life as we know it today. Sample the social chemistry that moulded our community and pointed us towards this current direction.
The episodes reflect how people are forced or choose to ‘move on’ to better their lives, protect their families, their people, and their countries. The new show identifies key moments in the North East’s own journey including the birth of the modern railway (the Stockton and Darlington Railway) crafted by George Stephenson; The Durham Miner’s Gala; The Jarrow March; and how World War II integrated new heritage to the region from Windrush to Irish migrants.
The Tapestry of Voices also introduces elements of cultural celebrations in the form of Diwali and Chinese New Year.
Olga Maloney, Artistic Director of Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, said: “The Festival would like to thank Arts Council England for its continued support that allows us to develop and deliver our work for North East audiences and visitors from around the world.
“It also enables BIFF to host events like The Tapestry of Voices that helps to nurture new and existing talent, and provides local artistes with an opportunity to perform on the international stage alongside some of the leading figures on the dance theatre circuit.
“We are also proud to be supporting local venues with exciting works to feed people’s appetite for challenging, affordable, and entertaining pieces of new world theatre – all experienced here in the North East.”
Jane Tarr, Director North East, Arts Council England said “Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance always brings an exciting mix of international traditional and contemporary dance to the North East and this year is no exception.
“I’m very pleased that we have been able to support The Tapestry of Voices through our National Lottery Project Grants programme and it’s great that it will be staged at both Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens and ARC Stockton, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the performance.”
If the performance of The Tapestry of Voices wasn’t enough there will also be a supporting education and outreach scheme called the Let’s Create Programme. This will involve artists connected to the show delivering visual art, storytelling and theatrical workshops across the region in Billingham, Durham, Middlesbrough and Stockton.
Tickets for The Tapestry of Voices show at Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens on Saturday 28th November (7.30pm / £12 & £10) are on sale now from BIFF’s online box office by visiting https://billinghamfestival.com/whats-on/box-office The tickets for ARC – Stockton Arts Centre will be on general release on 27th August directly from the venue.
“Journeys woven together in pursuit of a dream”.
“With life as our drama let The Tapestry of Voices unfold.”
“Listen to your voice inside, and dance to the rhythm of your heart and soul.”
“The Tapestry of Voices lifts a lid on the past and takes the audience on a theatrical journey they will never forget.”
“The Tapestry of Voices reflects on the past by building for the future.”
List of Artistes
Please find below a list of the creative artists and groups who are currently involved with The Tapestry of Voices:
Tim Porteus, Actor, Storyteller, Dramaturge (Scotland); Catriona Joss – Actress (Scotland); Elizabeth Collins – Actress (Scotland); Absolutely Legless Irish Dance and Music (Scotland); Balbir Singh Dance Company – Indian and Chinese dance and Music (Yorkshire); Taste of Africa North East (Tees Valley); Orla Tango (Scotland); and Talentos School of Dance CIC (London).