Elemental experience at festival

Water is the first of four themes for the annual celebration and will be followed by earth, wind and fire over the next three years as part of the festival's Out For The Elements programme.

According to the organisers, having an over-arching theme is designed to help the events link up to tell the story of London through art, music and visual spectacle.

Bradley Hemmings, the festival's artistic director, said: "The elements make east London what it is, historically and contemporaneously.

"Water represents the docks, for fire think about the Phoenix on St Paul's or the blitz, and so on."

This year's festival will feature wide range of performances by a diverse range of groups and will include sound and light shows, fireworks and parades.

Selected pubs and restaurants in Greenwich are also offering £10 deals for a meal and a drink on festival days.

Event highlights include performances of Handel's Water Music at the National Maritime Museum.

Bradley said: "We want to tell the story of the Thames in a modern way.

"London's contemporary life will be reflected through projections onto the historic Queens House. It should be incredible to see."

Continuing the watery theme Fous De Bassin is set to be another stand-out performance. Wharfers saw a sneak preview of the act at South Quay recently.

Bradley said: "This is a really large scale piece of outside theatre. Over the years the performers have developed many ways of making things move around on water. They have these mini submarines they walk on, the show works better at night because everything remains hidden."

A show exploring the dangers of climate change, and rising sea levels, Pi L'eau, is something Bradley is personally excited about.

He said: "This will be a family friendly piece. I saw it first in Spain. It is both popular and accessible, yet has serious undertones.  It is a very unconventional piece compared to traditional theatre."

Go to festival.org