LIVE entertainment filled Salisbury as City Encounters brought a boost for the bank holiday weekend.

More than 4,500 people enjoyed 42 free events over the Sunday and Monday of the May bank holiday weekend.

As part of City Encounters, Wiltshire Creative welcomed seven artists from across the UK in partnership with Without Walls.

Free events included two days of street theatre, circus and dance in Salisbury city centre and Salisbury Cathedral Close – as well as Family activities at Bemerton Heath and Salisbury Arts Centre.

Wiltshire Creative external relations director Helen Taylor said: “We are delighted that this year’s City Encounters was enjoyed by so many people.

"After such a challenging year we were proud to offer music, dance, theatre, circus and some disco boogieing and much more to bring our beautiful city back to life.

"Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s City Encounters and we look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Wiltshire Creative artistic director Gareth Machin added: "Seeing groups of family and friends, young and old, enjoying cultural experiences against the backdrop of the city and the sunshine was inspiring and motivating for the whole Wiltshire Creative team.

"After such a difficult year, we all can't wait to get back to entertaining audiences and City Encounters is just the start - there's plenty more to come."

Salisbury Arts Centre has now reopened from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 2.30pm, with a new exhibition and hub for 'SHIFT' - a project celebrating the voices of young people in the arts.

The Lord Chamberlain's Men bring an outdoor performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth to Rack Close in the Cathedral grounds from this week.

Salisbury Playhouse reopens on June 7 with a performance from Further Education performing arts students, followed by a season of theatre, dance, comedy, music, film. The autumn season will be announced shortly.

Visit: wiltshirecreative.co.uk

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