Barbican Theatre and Plymouth Gladiators Speedway are staging Petrol Headz, an August bank holiday weekend spectacular showcasing the modified car scene and the surrounding street culture.
Petrol Headz will feature roaring sound systems, drift cars, showcars, speedway bikers, skateboard tricks, parkour stunts, street dancers, DJs and MC battles and much more!
Laura Kriefman, Barbican Theatre’s chief executive said:
“I’ve been obsessed with the artistry of the modified car scene and all the surrounding street culture for years. I love the precision movement displayed by drifters, and speedway riders.
“I can’t get enough of airkit and hydraulics cars and the technical skills behind it. I love the brilliance of the neon underlighting, epic vinyl wrapping and that’s before you add in the soundsystem culture that goes with it!
“I grew up going to Monster Truck shows and steam ups with my mum – it was inevitable that I was going to want to make a show about cars – they’re much more nimble than dockyard cranes! Who wouldn’t want to see immaculately designed cars, amongst sensational skateboard and parkour tricksters, speedway bikes and trick cars all accompanied by some absolute tunes?”
The Barbican Theatre team approached Plymouth Speedway back in the autumn to discuss the proposed Petrol Headz event. With a history of taking work to unusual spaces and creating site-specific work the speedway arena at Marsh Mills was an exciting prospect for them. Not only is the arena able to offer a large capacity for spectators (1200+) the size of the grounds makes access for drift cars, show cars and all the other street culture groups a real possibility.
Ian Jordan, Plymouth Gladiators Speedway director said:
“We’re thrilled to partner and collaborate with Barbican Theatre to optimise the potential of our PACE Plymouth Arena and Community Events Project; transforming the Coliseum Arena from a speedway stadium into a major community and entertainment hub for Plymouth and the whole of South West. The Barbican team share our vision of innovation to create new boundaries involving speedway racing and beyond, with a game-changing fusion of extreme sport, the wider arts, community and family entertainment.”
Barbican Theatre has a history of working with diverse communities, and have known for years how big the modified car scene is across Plymouth and the rest of the South West.
Barbican Theatre is passionate about building Plymouth’s own creative voice, and giving it a platform. A show like PetrolHeadz is only possible thanks to the brilliant collective creativity from Plymouth Parkour, Prime Skate, Rhythm City, Dip Demons, ReBels Music, Driverse, George’s Car Media and many other amazing artists we are lucky to partner and work with.
Barbican Theatre has employed over 100 creatives throughout the lockdowns, and are excited that PetrolHeadz will offer employment and training opportunities for around 240 people – all from Plymouth and the surrounding areas.
Petrol Headz will involve a cast of members of the car scene, Barbican ReBels, semi-pro and professional performers – and there will be opportunities to get involved- whether you’re a drift car driver, have built a car you’d like to show off on the exhibition field, are a dancer, skater, parkourist or want to learn how to produce events.
The first wave of tickets, for the grandstand seating areas, are now on sale (online only) priced at £17 with concessions £13 (including under 16s, students, registered disabled, BSL interpreter accessible seats, audio description accessible seats and over 60s).
Organisers are also introducing ‘Pay It Forward’ tickets for £13 where people can buy an extra ticket that can then be offered to a member of the community who would otherwise be restricted from attending due to financial barriers. Further seats and ticket types will be released at a later date. All ticket prices stated are inclusive of any booking charges or fees.
For updates on Barbican Theatre activity, events and opportunities please visit the website at barbicantheatre.co.uk or follow them on social media:
Instagram: @Barbican_Theatre
Facebook: Barbican Theatre Plymouth
Twitter: @BarbicanTheatre
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