A two-week long arts and culture festival which has been months in the planning will shine the spotlight on Totnes and put the town on the map as a creative fringe festival venue, organisers hope.

International theatre company, NDP Circus, based in the town, is behind plans for the summer event, which is designed to provide something for everyone in the community – from classical theatre lovers to rock ‘n’ roll fans.

Support has already poured in from local venues keen to host performers, community organisations eager to be involved, enthusiastic local artists willing to take part, and the town council which has has donated £10,000 towards the event.

The festival is dependent on securing other funding bids which, if successful, will see venues from Bridgetown to the town centre abuzz with a performances, exhibitions, concerts, theatre, circus, dance, storytelling, visual arts, live music, film, youth work, children’s events, street art, comedy, crafters, and DJ sets.

Home to a vibrant and diverse community of artists and performers, Totnes is already exploding with creativity, say organisers, who want to bring all this talent together for the collaborative, 14-day long extravaganza this August.

NPD director, Paul Liengaard, said: “Totnes has a really strong brand worldwide; it’s got a creative, quirky image and if we try and create a really good festival we can try and build on that.

“I really want it to be for all local Totnesians - the mechanics and farmers as well as the hippies.

“There will be various workshops in the months leading up to the festival and we are also looking for both paid and volunteer stewards to help run the event.

“We are not asking everyone to do things for nothing, we want to support people and pay local artists.”

Ideas for the festival include an outdoor candlelit orchestra concert; a sculpture trail; a craft and makers space showcasing blacksmiths and rural crafts; gargoyles brought to life; theatre performances at Totnes Castle; a children’s festival in the park; nautical nonsense on the River Dart; a garden full of mesmerising storytellers and a grand parade winding its way from from Bridgetown to The Rotherfold.

Paul said: “The festival will support and encourage the professional artists within our community to expand their already thriving cultural activities here.

“We know that we have a wealth of beautiful spaces and brilliant organisations that have supported the communities through the last 18 months of upheaval.

“We want to shine a light on this and bring together an exciting programme of events across the two weeks.”

Over the past couple of years, Paul and NDP Circus have facilitated a number of popular seasonal community events including Halloween celebrations, Mayday events, and A Midsummer Dream spectacle.

Now they are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in being part of the Totnes Festival, due to take place from August 15 to 24, in any shape or form to email [email protected].

“Ultimately, this festival will only come together with the full commitment and support of the brilliant creative, voluntary and artistic individuals and organisations in the town and beyond,” Paul said.

“We want this to be a platform and springboard for others and celebrate our town.”