A THEATRE and arts centre has been nominated for an award following its successful annual festival.

Riverfront Theatre, in Newport, has been nominated for the Arts, Business & Brand Identity Award sponsored by Hern & Crabtree in the 2019 A&B Cymru Awards.

The awards encourage, acknowledge and celebrate exemplary partnerships between the private sector and the arts.

Riverfront Theatre in Newport (Picture: Dale Cottrell)

The nomination was due to Riverfront Theatre’s partnership with Western Power Distribution (WPD) for Big Splash Festival – a popular art and street theatre which last year attracted around 24,000 people to the city centre.

The partnership created ‘Hoop Troupe,’ an opportunity for older people to come together to socialise, have fun and learn new skills through numerous workshops which took place at Riverfront Theatre leading up to the Big Splash.

(Picture: Chris Tinsley)

The project worked with local women’s community groups including Age Cymru Gwent, Age Alive and Coffee & Laughs, which was led by a local professional hula hoop and circus practitioner. This culminated in a hoop ‘flash mob’ in July 2018, showcasing their new skills.

More than 120 took part in the project, with more than 50 people taking part in the Big Splash flash mob.

(Picture: Chris Tinsley)

Olivia Harris, creative producer, said: “We are delighted the Hoop Troupe Project has been shortlisted for an award, in recognition of our community work with WPD

“The project successfully brought older people together from across the city, taught them a new physical skill in a fun and social way and created an exciting performance opportunity too.

"Projects like this couldn’t happen without the support of WPD, and we are thrilled that this collaboration has been recognised."

(Picture: Chris Tinsley)

WPD’s Corporate Communications Officer, Karen Welch, added: "We believe it is the responsibility of large organisations like ours to play a full and active role in the communities they serve.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Newport Live. We are committed to supporting a range of projects especially those that relate to education, safety and the environment.

"We are delighted to be nominated, and it is always good to receive recognition like this."

Riverfront Theatre will discover if it has won at a ceremony in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, on July 11.

Big Splash 2019 will take over Newport on July 20 and July 21, with announcements to be made in the lead-up to this weekend packed with family fun.

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