THE centre of Shipley will once again be transformed into an interactive theatre featuring top international acts when it hosts a three day festival later this month.

The Shipley Street Arts Festival returns to the town from June 23 to 25, and the weekend will feature acts including circus performers, puppetry and dance.

The festival was started in 2014 as a way of bringing more art to the centre of the town, and each year it attracts thousands of people to watch the varied acts and take part in interactive arts events.

This year’s theme is exploration.

Flying over from America to headline the Saturday and Sunday of this year’s festival is Peter Sweet and David Poznanter’s acclaimed circus act BOOM!

The act will see the pair don masks and perform classic circus acts, including, slackrope, Cyr Wheel, and juggling in the town centre.

Other acts playing over the weekend are puppeteer Lori Hopkins, the puppetry consultant for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. As well as performing her acclaimed show The Explorer, she will be running two exclusive masterclasses where people can explore the art of puppeteering with one of the industry’s best.

Bees - The Colony is an art installation by Artizani and Avanti Display which offers a “multisensory experience” giving audiences the chance to get involved in the installation, getting up close and personal with “deluxe and sumptuous bee hives.”

Another highlight will be Professor Percy Veer bringing his family show Rockets and Robots to the festival.

The festival’s main shows will be performed in the town’s Market Square, but there will be other acts wandering around the town centre throughout the weekend, including puppet characters Hodman and Sally, and some “lost explorers” to name just a few.

Other events include a silent disco and sign language sessions, pupils from Titus Salt School delivering a dance piece and art work from local schools and community groups.

Market Stalls will be open throughout the festival with additional arts and crafts traders selling their wares.

The event has been sponsored by the Arts Council, Shipley Town Centre Partnership and the town’s Ibis hotel, and is being delivered by local group Q20 Events.

The puppet masterclasses, on the Saturday and Sunday, will have limited spaces. For more information call 01274 221360 or email info@q20theatre.co.uk

Organisers are also looking for volunteers to help the festival run smoothly. Anyone wanting to volunteer can email scott@q20theatre.co.uk.