Newbury is set to get an unusual visitor this September when an award-winning French theatre company brings an extraordinary night-time procession to the town.
Deblozay, meaning ‘bedlam’ in Haitian Creole, will be staged by internationally renowned French company Rara Woulib on Saturday, 5 September, transforming familiar Newbury streets into the setting for an immersive outdoor theatrical experience.
The free performance, presented by Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust, will begin at the boating lake in Victoria Park at 8pm before making its way through the town centre and into some of its less familiar backstreets.
Led by 15 performers from Rara Woulib, the procession will feature live music, immersive sound installations, powerful choir singing and the distinctive sounds of rara trumpets.
More than 50 local participants will also take part, joining the professional performers to create a production that has been developed specifically for Newbury.
The story sees characters who have returned from the dead for one night only accompanying audiences on a strange and colourful journey through the town. Along the way, familiar locations will take on an altogether different character, with unexpected appearances and disappearances adding to the sense that anything might happen.
Inspired by Haitian culture, Deblozay is deliberately shaped by each location in which it is performed. Rara Woulib works with local communities to create a production that responds to the history, character and landscape of the host town.
That means Newbury itself becomes part of the performance, with audiences encouraged to look at streets, buildings and familiar landmarks from a completely different perspective.
Jessica Jhundoo-Evans, Director of Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust, said: “Deblozay is a celebration of music, community and imagination and we passionately believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience and take part in exceptional arts and culture, regardless of cost or background.
“One of the aspects we are most excited about is that local people are at the heart of Deblozay; a spectacular event that is free for the whole community to enjoy. It’s a unique opportunity for artists and residents to create something unforgettable together and be part of a joyful celebration in our town.”
The event forms the final summer performance in Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust’s free outdoor arts programme, which has built a reputation for bringing unusual and ambitious outdoor performances to Newbury and the surrounding area.
With its mixture of live music, theatre, community participation and unexpected encounters, Deblozay promises to be less a show that audiences simply watch and more an experience they become part of.
Deblozay takes place on Saturday, 5 September 2026, from 8pm. The performance is free and open to people of all ages.
The event is part of the Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust’s free outdoor programme, funded by Greenham Trust and Arts Council England.
