Waterside Arts is thrilled to reveal the full programme for Refract Festival 2025 – a six-day celebration of performance, music, dance, comedy, family fun and immersive experiences taking place from Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 July.
Now in its eighth year, Refract continues to push boundaries with a bold and brilliant line-up designed to challenge perspectives, ignite imaginations and bring audiences of all ages together. This summer’s programme features a dynamic mix of indoor and outdoor events, many of which are free to attend, celebrating the unexpected in the heart of Sale.
Headline acts include global comedy phenomenon Tape Face and master illusionist Ben Hart both Britain’s Got Talent stars; clarinet virtuoso Arun Ghosh with his full band, and captivating alt-cabaret artist Bay Bryan.
For four days across the festival, Waterside Plaza will come alive with breathtaking, free family-friendly performances including giant puppets, circus, music and dance. Audiences will be able to enjoy world-class outdoor shows featuring international acts.
The festival kicks off with a set from award-winning British-Asian clarinettist and composerArun Ghosh, who blends South Asian music with jazz, rock and ambient grooves. Known for his powerful live shows, Arun brings his full band to Waterside’s Cabaret Club on 22nd July.
Following a string of international appearances and TV stardom (including Britain’s Got Talentand Killer Magic and two sell-out shows at Waterside in 2024), magician and master illusionist Ben Hart returns to Waterside with two intimate performances of mystery, mind-bending illusion, and psychological trickery.
International sensation, Tape Face brings his brilliantly bizarre world of silent comedy to the Refract stage. A finalist on America’s Got Talent, his wordless wonder blends physical theatre, mime, clowning and audience interaction to create a joyful, unpredictable experience that has wowed audiences from Las Vegas to the West End.
Audiences can buy double bill tickets to see Ben Hart and Tape Face on Wed 23 & Thurs 24 July.
Performing in the intimate Cabaret Club on Fri 25 July, Bay Bryan invites audiences into a world of storytelling, cabaret and genre-blurring music. Their unique blend of folk-pop, theatrical flair will make for an unforgettable evening.
A special edition for Refract:25, there will be an eclectic DJ line up including local vinyl DJ Living Room Dance Club playing sample-centric soul, rare groove and leftfield disco during the launch of the festival and DJ Luz who will be mixing Latin club and vogue beats for that global sound after Bay Bryan.
The outdoor performances will start on Thurs 24 & Fri 25 July with Hug. Through a fusion of aerial dance, physical theatre and striking visuals, the audience is invited to rediscover the power of touch, connection and the simple act of a hug.
Belgian outdoor theatre company Stoptoi bring magical show Pocket Loop which blends juggling and music using balls, rubber hoops and a drum kit – on Thu 24 & Fri 25 July.
Join the beach party on Fri 25 & Sat 26 July with Everywhere’s A Beach! A charmingly joyous high-energy circus performance taking place on a giant revolving beach parasol!
Refract favourites return: Autin Dance Theatreare back at Refract, this time with giant sea puppet Eko and their show Out of the Deep Blue. Towering over the audience, this visually stunning performance brings oceanic storytelling to life with movement, sound and awe-inspiring puppetry.
Batala Manchester will be performing at Refract for the first time this year with their brilliant sounds of Afro-Brazilian samba reggae. They will be bringing the beats on Sat 26 July.
The Refract outdoor bandstand is back for two days for 2025; larger-than-life The Thingumajigs perform on Sat 26 July with their unmistakable blend of funk, ska, klezmer and carnival chaos. Then on Sun 27 July, Rodina aka singer-songwriter Aoife Hearty will be performing catchy and beautiful soul & jazz songs accompanied by guitar and percussion.
Joining the line-up on the final day CAGED – a powerful and poetic outdoor dance performance around a giant metal birdcage and closing the festival with a band, Global Grooves bring carnival drumming and dance; their signature blend of global party sounds and movement makes for a thrilling finale.
Darren Adams, Venue Manager at Waterside, says: “Refract is about reimagining what the arts can be. It’s playful, thought-provoking, and proudly inclusive. This year’s line-up is our most ambitious yet – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience something new this summer.”
Full programme and booking now live atwww.refract.org.uk
Refract: 24 runs at Waterside from Tuesday 22 – Sunday 27 July.
