Interdisciplinary performing arts working with local singing, dance, swim, geology and beach communities to explore coastal geomorphology between Hythe & Folkestone.
- 19 Jul - 11 Oct 2025
- Folkestone
Fat Lady Opera create vibrant and immersive opera, and for their new project S:WASH/D:RIFT, they will be exploring the themes of coastal geomorphology between Hythe and Folkestone.
The project includes a series of Summer workshops to develop a new choral, orchestral and choreographic works; followed by an amazing programme of interdisciplinary performing arts events featuring these works made in collaboration with local communities.
Each workshop will look at particular aspect of the local coastline and geomorphology between Folkestone & Hythe through the lens of arts practice. Workshops are facilitated by seasoned professionals in performing arts and design: Sarah Booth, Jacob Bride, Michaela Cisarikova, Tania Holland Williams, Michèle Rowland.
WORKSHOP SERIES
Saturday 19 Jul – LAUNCH EVENT
St Peter’s CoE School Hall, Folkestone
Come and find out all about the project and how to get involved.
Saturday 26 Jul – MOVEMENT, VOICE & THEATRE
St Peter’s CoE School Hall
Saturday 2 Aug – MUSIC, SINGING, THEATRE
St Peter’s CoE School Hall
Saturday 9 Aug – MOVEMENT, VOICE & THEATRE
St Peter’s CoE School Hall
Saturday 16 Aug – MUSIC, SINGING, THEATRE
Harbour Church, Canterbury Rd. Folkestone
Saturday 23 Aug – MOVEMENT, VOICE & THEATRE
Harbour Church, Canterbury Rd. Folkestone
Saturday 30 Aug – GRAPHIC SCORES
Kollectiv, Old High Street, Folkestone
Saturday 30 Aug – DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
Kollectiv, Old High Street, Folkestone
Workshops are suitable for adults and people aged 16+. They are free to attend.
Donations are very welcome where people feel able to make a contribution.
Sign up here for any of the workshops or contact fatladyopera@gmail.com
PERFORMANCE & EVENTS PROGRAMME
August to October 2025
BONE TO STONE
Saturday 30 Aug, 2pm & 3.45pm
Kollectiv, Old High Street, Folkestone
An immersive look at the process of fossilisation employing the arts of sculpture, music, voice and dance. Discover the qualities of clay, flint & chalk, unearth unstable minerals & trespass into the hidden cavities of our natural coastline.
Tickets for BONE TO STONE £5 to £10 available HERE
LONGSHORE DRIFT PROMENADE
Saturday 6 Sep Dawn to Sat 13 Sep Dusk
Music, voice installation and dance events that travel from Hythe to Folkestone.
Saturday 6 Sep, 05.43 – DILUTED- Fisherman’s Beach
Saturday 6 Sep, 08.38 – WEATHERING- Hythe Imperial Beach Cusp
Saturday 6 Sep, 09.53 – THE SCRAPE- Seabrook Beach, near the sandpit
Saturday 6 Sep, 10.42 – SHIFTING IDENTITIES- Sandgate Beach at Enbrook Outflow Pipe
Saturday 13 Sep, 15.19 – THE CUSP- Mermaid Bay, Folkestone
Saturday 13 Sep, 17.19 – TRANSGRESSION- Jellyfish Installation, Folkestone
Saturday 13 Sep, 19.14 – DRIED OUT- Copt Point, Sunny Sands Promenade/East Cliff Steps, Folkestone
Tickets to the LONGSHORE DRIFT PROMENADE are free.
We welcome donations to the DRIFT project which can be made HERE
SWASH ZONE
Friday 3 October, 3.15pm to 5.15pm
St Peter’s CoE Primary, Folkestone
Interactive family friendly event suitable for children aged 5 to 11 and their families, exploring local geology through movement and arts activities.
Tickets to the SWASH ZONE are free, but should be reserved in advance HERE
We welcome donations to the project which can be made HERE
DRIFT: THE LAYING DOWN
Saturday 11 October, 7pm to 9pm
Harbour Church, Canterbury Rd. Folkestone
The Finale performance event for the DRIFT project
It will be BIG. Featuring new choral, orchestral works and choreographic works performed by Shepway Voices, Bradstow Music, MCDC, St Peter’s CoE School children.
Tickets to THE LAYING DOWN £5 to £10 available HERE
For further details about the S:WASH/D:RIFT programme visit here