Free show turns rugby league into aerial and dance performance

A spectacular new outdoor performance brings the atmosphere and passion of rugby league out of the stadium and onto the streets -all before kick-off.

This specially commissioned free show, which features dance, music and aerial performance, tells three unique stories about the game and its people, charting how it has evolved from its roots to the sport we see today.

Bringing together fans of sport and art This Is Us celebrates 'The Power of Together' with a central company of professional performers collaborating with a participant cast drawn from the residents of each location.

The Power of Performance: This is Us is coming to four cities across the north: Newcastle, Hull, Leeds and Manchester.

The Power of Performance: This is Us is told through three stories in three different locations, all situated close to each other.

Each story lasts 10-12 minutes with a 10 minute break before starting again, so you can move on to the next location and see the next story. You can watch the stories in any order and each will run six times giving you plenty of opportunity to catch the action.

Look out for the street bands and processions which will help to guide you to the next location.

Delivered in partnership with Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority, the performance is produced by Pinwheel, directed by Robby Graham of Southpaw Dance Company with Simon Sharkey as writer and artistic advisor. The stories include...

Origins

It’s late 19th century Northern England. Tired of losing wages due to training or injury, the working-class rugby players have decided to stand up for their rights to be paid to play the sport. As a result, the Northern clubs break free and form the separate game