7 May 2011 Last updated at 00:08

In pictures: Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2011 launch

The Wolves at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2011

Crackles, bangs and giant roars filled Norwich city centre as The Wolves made its world premiere on launch night - 6 May - at the 2011 Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Photos by David Keller.

Not for the timid, the futuristic reworking of the Pied Piper of Hamelin was an explosive affair featuring an array of special effects and three giant mechanical creatures. Pre-sale tickets for the 2011 festival - the fourth largest city arts celebration in the UK - increased by 10% compared with the same time last year.

Hundreds of people came to see the spectacular free event on Millennium Plain, outside of The Forum in Norwich. The Wolves is the brainchild of art group Deabru Beltzak.

The Wolves slowly made their way from Millennium Plain to terrorise passers-by on Gentleman's Walk. As well as good ticket sales, the website for the 239th contemporary arts and music festival saw its hits surge by 150% in the months running up to the 16-day event.

In 2010 the Norfolk and Norwich Festival attracted its highest ever audience of 278,000 people. The new artistic director William Galinsky is hopeful he can build again upon the high level of public interest.

Pulses were racing as The Wolves jumped out on unsuspecting people. The festival runs throughout Norwich, Great Yarmouth and other places around Norfolk until 21 May.

Saxophone Massive launches the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2011

Earlier in the day the festival got off to an ear-splitting start with a fanfare of saxophones, when 200 people performed the composition Saxophone Massive by Andy Sheppard.

Professional and amateur saxophonists of all ages from around the city and the county blared out the huge composition to kick-start the 16-day celebration in style at 1730 BST.

Composer Andy Sheppard brought his Saxophone Massive to Norwich following outings at the London Jazz Festival, Leeds Fuse Festival and events in France and Norway.

"I have a long-standing relationship with the Norfolk and Norwich Festival so it's doubly exciting to be able to bring such an ambitious project to Norwich and get to work with so many local sax players," said Mr Sheppard.

Andy Sheppard salutes the hundreds of people who turned out to watch the free event on Millennium Plain in Norwich. As the saxophone players drew their final breaths, loud cheers rung out to congratulate them - with some people complete novices until recently.

"We're thrilled that so many of our events are selling fast," said artistic director William Galinsky. "What's brilliant is that our audiences trust us enough to take a chance and try something completely new while the festival is on."

Norfolk

In pictures: Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2011 launch

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