A TOWN is set to stage one of the country’s most "ambitious" dance and theatre stage shows of 2021.

Dance and drama will come to Darlington’s Market Square with a free performance of “The Two Fridas” on Thursday, July 22 from 6pm.

The 50-minute performance is inspired by one of the world’s most famous self-portraits - The Two Fridas by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo – and will bring the canvas to life in a mixture of classical Indian, Western contemporary and Mexican folk dance. The performance also features the influences of Indian-Hungarian artist, Amrita Sher-Gil.

Alex Nicholson, Darlington’s town partnership and events manager, said: “The Two Fridas promises to be a cultural highlight of the summer. The tour was set up in reaction to the overwhelming response to a sell-out world premiere performance that was staged at The Bowes Museum in County Durham back in September 2020 and we are thrilled that it is coming to Darlington, at no cost to spectators.”

The show is presented by Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance in collaboration with Balbir Singh Dance Company and is funded by Arts Council England.

Olga Maloney, Artistic Director of Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, said: “There will be something for everyone to enjoy from beautiful dance-theatre to live music through to the elegant traditional costumes. Where else can you enjoy a glimpse of Mexican, Indian and Hungarian culture on a Thursday evening; the show’s first stop in Tees Valley before a mini tour of the region.”