A host of talented artists from across the UK and around the world will come together in Kingston this summer for the first ever FUSE International. The festival replaces the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) which has taken place each summer since 2009.

Over 50 events across film, music, theatre, visual arts and more will take place over the ten days of the new festival which is curated and presented by charity Creative Youth.

The programme comprises both productions by young emerging companies and a programme of family friendly work.

Visit our What’s On page for a full list of shows and to book tickets

Ticket information

All tickets can purchased directly through our website by visiting the ‘What’s On’ page. This is the easiest way for you to view, manage and purchase tickets all in one place.

Alternatively, feel free to call us directly on 020 8549 2120 where we will be happy to answer any of your queries.

From the 1 July until the end of the festival our in-person box office will also be open in Rose Theatre from 10am – 5pm where you will be able to physically purchase any ticket for all FUSE International performances.

All details of ticket prices, fringe double offers and further information can be found within our .

If you’re interested in supporting the charity throughout the year, take a look at our Creative Youth Friend’s membership. Becoming a Friend of Creative Youth helps us enable young people’s participation and engagement in the arts and culture in Kingston, in the UK and on a global stage.

Family programme

This year, the family programme will be headlined by Circus Abyssinia’s Tulu (7-8 Jul) which tells the story of Ethiopian Olympic legend Derartu Tulu through dazzling displays of speed and flight. Also featuring in the family programme are Cirque du Chennai (3 Jul), Jellyfish Theatre’s The Wagon of Dreams (9 Jul) and Above Bounds Theatre’s The Silly Squirrel (10 Jul).

International participants

A number of events will be presented by international companies or have international participants. These range from fringe theatre shows from Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands to a Choir Fest (1 Jul) where young people from Kenya will join digitally with participants performing live in London and a screened contribution from a children’s choir in Ukraine.

Live music

Further music events will be staged in Kingston Marketplace and on The Seven Saxons boat, a 60-foot wide-beam narrowboat, located on the Thames.

The programme will also see performances in music venues such The Lamb pub, Woody’s Bar & Kitchen and The Fighting Cocks. This includes A Celebration of Bowie and Bowie Ball, marking 50^th anniversary of David Bowie launching Ziggy Stardust in the Borough in 1972.

Fringe programme

The extensive Fringe programme features 28 shows spanning theatre, comedy, dance, spoken word, cabaret and film, all performed by artists under the age of 27. Highlights of the programme include Orange Sky Theatre’s Wild Onion (2 Jul), Chewboy Productions’ Tethered (Winner of an Offie and a London Pub Theatre Award, 2 Jul), The Bobolyne Poets’ Shenanigan’s Wake (8 Jul), Christian Dart: Bigger than the Christmas Turkey (6-7 July), Jamie Mykaela: DADDY (2-3 July) and Broccan Tyzack-Carlin: Turtle (3-4 July).

The best theatre, comedy, digital and children’s shows performed by under 27s at the Brighton Fringe, as selected by the young people of Creative Youth, will be brought together in four special showcase events as part of a partnership with Brighton Fringe.

Creative Talent Programme artists

Young artists supported by Creative Youth as part of their Creative Talent Programme will be featured across the festival. In the Fringe programme, This Is Not A Show About Hong Kong by Max Percy and Friends (7 Jul), looks at censorship in Hong Kong. In the exhibition programme, Eshé Photo present LABELS: Black Mental Health and Me (2-10 Jul) and taking place online, Hannah Raymond-Cox presents digital installation/game This Is Not My Beautiful House (2-10 Jul). As part of FUSE Film (4 Jul) Jordy Deelight will screen Team Spirit on the topic of LGBTQIA participation in football. Additionally, all of the Creative Talent Programme artists will be brought together for a special showcase event on 1 July at the Rose Theatre.

The festival will be accompanied by a series of discussions and practical skills-based workshops for young artists, taking place online and in person workshops called So You Wanna Change the Arts.

FUSE International 2022 is a ten-day international celebration of live performance and creativity after a challenging two years. Our programme is packed with inspiring, funny and thought-provoking shows that will bring us all together in Kingston once again. 

With theatre, dance, comedy, music, visual arts and plenty more – there is something for everyone, all created by young and emerging artists from around the world. 

FESTIVAL BROCHURE

Why not take a glance over our fabulous festival brochure for this year? Here you’ll find everything you need to know from our entire programme to ticket offers and much more. Either or on the link below to view the digital version either on your mobile device or computer. Make sure to keep an eye out around Kingston for our physical copies dotted around the town.

Don’t know where to start? Take a look at our festival highlights – a selection of some of the wonderful shows and adventures coming to Kingston this summer.

TICKET INFORMATION

General release for all performances taking part in FUSE International 2022 is midday on Thursday 26 May 2022. All tickets can purchased directly through our website by visiting the ‘What’s On’ page. This is the easiest way for you to view, manage and purchase tickets all in one place.

For those of you who want to gain access to our early access festival pre-booking, take a look at our Creative Youth Friend’s membership. Becoming a Friend of Creative Youth helps us enable young people’s participation and engagement in the arts and culture in Kingston, in the UK and on a global stage.

From the 1 July until the end of the festival our in-person box office will also be open in Rose Theatre from 10am – 5pm where you will be able to physically purchase any ticket for all FUSE International performances.

Alternatively, feel free to call us directly on 020 8549 2120 where we will be happy to answer any of your queries.

All details of ticket prices, fringe double offers and further information can be found within our .

Formed in 2009, this summer will mark the first festival with our new name: FUSE International and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to launch the programme. It was a brilliant evening filled with live performances and speeches, and the first opportunity for audiences to get their hands on the physical festival brochure. This year’s brochure has been designed by the very talented Geneviève Krieff.

The evening saw performances from musicians Steph Prodromou, IO, Fanchon and In Albion, and dancer Saffron Smith.

The launch took place in Kingston University’s Town House, which has recently been named the winner of the 2021 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize – confirming it as Britain’s best new building.

Tickets for Friends of Creative Youth are now on sale, and General Sale tickets will be released at midday on Thursday 26 May.

If you weren’t able to make it to the launch, you can pick up a copy of the brochure from venues around Kingston Town Centre, or you can

It has been a difficult couple of years for so many and we can’t wait to experience the energy, inspiration and hope which young people and our festival audiences bring to Kingston once again. Last year we had over 600 applications, so after our success in 2021 we are thrilled to be back welcoming young people and all their creative visions once again. Sharing the creative talents of young filmmakers is more important than ever before and at the heart of our festival.

Across the globe there are many film festivals throughout the year, but few who have a true focus on young emerging filmmakers. FUSE Film is here to provide an affordable platform for young filmmakers to get one of their first experiences of a film festival. There is the opportunity to showcase your films to an audience in a stunning venue in Kingston and have your films watched by an industry panel and enter our awards.

Awards and Prizes: 

There are 4 different categories available for you to apply for:

– Best Miniature Film (5 minutes or under)

– Best Short Film (Between 10-15 minutes)

– Best International Short Film (Under 15 minutes and not based in the UK)

– Best Local Film (Under 15 minutes and based in Kingston or surrounding areas)

All applicants will have a response to their application by the end of May 2022

A selection of finalists will be chosen from each category by an industry panel. The finalists will be put forwards for our Film Awards. Each finalist’s film will be screened live and online from our website where you get the opportunity to see your film on the big screen. Then in the evening, the red carpet is rolled out for the award ceremony, where the announcements of the winner of each category will be revealed by some special guests.

Deadline: May 20 2022

Please click here for all terms and conditions and to submit your application.