AN INTERNATIONAL arts festival is set to return this autumn in five locations across the county.

Inside Out Dorset, a biennial festival which was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, will return over two weekends in September at venues in Weymouth, Bridport, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

The outdoor festival, which will take place on the third and fourth weekends in September, is hosted by Dorchester-based arts producer Activate, who aim to celebrate the natural landscape while promoting, supporting and producing performing arts projects in the community.

Over the second weekend, from September 24-26, guests are invited to attend the 'Sense of Unity' event and join a parade through Weymouth town centre to search for giant puppets, thanks to a collaboration between Activate, German outdoor puppeteers Dundu, and UK percussion ensemble Worldbeaters. The after-dark parade show will be illuminated by the puppets which are lit from the inside and moved by five puppeteers.

Meanwhile, 'Gaia', an artwork installation exploring humanity's place on the planet and the responsibility people have towards each other, will be held on the Symondsbury Estate, near Bridport, featuring a seven-metre scale model of Earth offering a chance to see the planet as an astronaut would view it from space.

The piece will be accompanied by an trail of events and performances that explore climate change and our future use of the land.

Co-artistic Directors of Inside Out Dorset Kate Wood and Bill Gee said: "We are delighted to announce a diverse and inventive programme encompassing an awe-inspiring sculpture hidden in a working forest, giant puppets on a Georgian seafront and sound installations in an ancient woodland.

"After having to postpone the festival last year, we're delighted to be able to bring Inside Out Dorset to life this year while taking every measure to ensure the safety of our audiences, artists, performers and volunteers."

Outdoor circus performances and dance routines will take place at venues in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch over the two weekends, including a dance show inspired by Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

Watch a trailer for the festival on the Dorset Echo website.

For more information on the Inside Out Dorset festival, visit activateperformingarts.org.uk/whats-on/inside-out-dorset/