12 May 2012 Last updated at 02:35

Norfolk and Norwich Festival launches with dinosaur Invasion

Thousands stand on Millennium Plain, Norwich to experience Invasion (Photo: Rod Penn)

Thousands of people took to the streets of Norwich on Friday evening for Invasion - the opening performance of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2012, in which internationally acclaimed street performers Close-Act brought dinosaurs and prehistoric birds to Norfolk.

An invasion of dinosaurs launches the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2012 (Photo: Martin Barber)

The festival, which has enjoyed a 15% growth in advance ticket sales compared with last year, marked the UK premiere of Invasion. The beasts are created from a variety of materials including fibre-glass so they are light for the actors to wear and move in.

Invasion launches the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2012

Close-Act, from the Netherlands, designs its shows for audiences of between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Artistic director Tonny Aerts said: "The great thing about this large outdoor theatre performance is that it's not on a stage and that makes it more interactive. We play inside an audience."

Invasion performing on Millennium Plain, Norwich. (Photos by Rod Penn/Martin Barber)

Mr Aerts added: The audience always react differently dependent on which country we are performing in and that makes it more interesting as an actor because you get direct feedback. It's not a nice show to watch from a distance you – as the audience member – are part of the performance.”

Thousands stand on Millennium Plain, Norwich to experience Invasion (photo by Martin Barber)

Invasion is just one of the many free events planned during the 2012 festival. Artistic director William Galinksy said: “I hope to see crowds of families, people of all ages gathering in the city centre. There is lots of great free stuff going on this year. We've also got £5 ticket deals for anyone under 25, which is actually cheaper than a lot of cinemas these days."

The Norfolk and Norwich Festival launch was the UK premiere for Invasion (photo by Martin Barber)

Thousands of people gathered on Gentleman's Walk in Norwich for the start of the performance. The beast walked around the city's historic market and City Hall before gathering on Millennium Plain. Mr Galinsky said: "It was a chance to see the centre of Norwich as you've never seen it before and say 'Yes - the festival is here'."

Giant robots also took part in the Invasion through the streets of Norwich

In addition to the dinosaurs puppeteers operated giant alien-like robots throughout the performance. The Norfolk and Norwich Festival is one of the oldest surviving arts festival in the UK with its origins dating back to the 1700s. In 1988 it became an annual event.

Aerial artists sing suspended from the roof of The Forum entrance (photo by Martin Barber)

Invasion, a 90 minute performance, concluded with an aerial artist singing to the beasts suspended high above Millennium Plain from the roof of The Forum. The Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2012 runs until 26 May, with headline acts including virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy and guitar veteran Duane Eddy.

Norfolk

Norfolk and Norwich Festival launches with dinosaur Invasion

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