As the UK’s largest multi-arts festival for performers under the age of 27, FUSE International brings together some of the brightest young talent from around the world for 10 extraordinary days of theatre, music, comedy, dance, circus, visual art and more. It is a celebration of new voices, raw talent, ideas in development.

FUSE International (formerly International Youth Arts Festival) provides a platform for emerging artists under 27 and is the place to try new work in a safe and supportive environment. 2023 will mark the 15th festival in the stunning historical location of Kingston upon Thames.

HOW TO APPLY
Before applying through Eventotron, we encourage you to first read the application information on our website, and read our festival resources page. This tells you everything you need to know about applying to be part of the festival, and provides helpful information such as venue sizes, services and costs, and FAQs.

If you have any questions about applying to be part of FUSE International 2023, speak to our Festival Director, Petra, on fusedirector@creativeyouthcharity.org.

KEY DATES
Applications open – 8 November 2022
Application deadline – 8 January 2023
Programming decisions made – February 2023
FUSE International launch & tickets on sale – May 2023
FUSE International – 30 June 2023 – 9 July 2023

The festival is organised by charity Creative Youth, which supports artists aged 5 – 26.

The artforms FUSE incorporates are changing all the time. We don’t like to be prescriptive – fundamentally, if you have an idea, we want to hear about it. And whatever it is you bring, you can be guaranteed an inclusive, supportive and energetic environment in which to present it.

All applications are made through Eventotron, an online festival platform. There’s more information on the pages below and our festival resources section.

Since 2010, we have been working with the wonderful and talented Tangle Photography who has helped capture the spirit of our events and festivals. Tangle has photographed theatre, dance, circus, music shows and more and documented workshops, live shows and rehearsals.

Tangle has been equally vital in coordinating our photography volunteer team, an ever-changing and growing group of emerging creatives who receive mentoring and support during their time with us. Some volunteers may photograph one show, others may capture several, but they all come away having experienced the thrill of photographing performers in a challenging range of lighting conditions and scenarios; a key skill which can be transferred to many photographic opportunities and events.

Our volunteer photographers try to capture as many events as possible every year and visiting companies can use the images from social media to showcase their shows. This can be particularly helpful for companies touring the UK festival circuit.

Photograph by Rachel Guest

It’s always a challenge to showcase all of the amazing shots that are taken throughout our festivals and events, so we wanted to share a few here, and direct you to our Facebook page where you can see the full galleries of every show captured in the past few years. We hope you enjoy looking through and reliving the festival atmosphere.

Photograph by Ruth O’Brien

All images used in this article are by Tangle Photography unless stated otherwise.

We were thrilled to work with the talented team at Bright Immersive this year to reimaging three spaces from around Kingston: the Market Place, the Undercroft and Theatre.

Explore work by artists Chiyana Ankhrah, Lucie Arnoux, Tanvi Ranjan, A Bundy Film and Archie O’Neill. Discover the film winners from FUSE Film 2022, alongside international choir performances from Kenya, Ukraine and more.

If you want to find out more about the creation process behind the project, there’s a great article by Ben from Bright Immersive here.

The three spaces are all connected so you can start your journey in the Marketplace, then go to the Undercroft Gallery before heading to the Theatre and back again!

Start your journey by clicking on the link here:

• Kingston Market Place

Here are the separate links for the additional two spaces if you need them:

• Undercroft Gallery
• Theatre

FUSE International 2022 saw over 1000 artists visit Kingston, performing in over 50 events, in 8 venues across the town. They brought the town to life with circus, theatre, music, puppetry, dance and more and helped create new memories for residents and visitors alike.

We’d love your thoughts on the festival – what you came to see, what you enjoyed, what you’d like to see more of and anything we can do to make your experience even better!

If you’re missing the festival already, keep reading as we’ve got lots to get involved with over the next few months.

We really value your feedback and would appreciate it if you could fill out a short evaluation form to provide some quick feedback. Your views and opinions are essential as we continue to expand our programme and bring great arts and culture to Kingston.

FUSE Film focuses on celebrating the work of young film makers and sharing the creative talents of incredible emerging casts and crews. This year’s event screened all of our shortlisted films and awarding our winners in the following categories:

• Best Short Film
• Best Miniature Film
• Best International Film
• Best Local Short Film

You can access all of this year’s shortlist films as part of FUSE International Digifest by clicking here.

Best Short Film:

WINNER: Harper

Nominees: Baile, Dead Susan

Best Miniature Film:

WINNER: Chains of Adolescence 

Nominees: CANNED, Hairy, Viking: A Short Film

Best International Film:

WINNER: Trigger

Nominees: For I Am Dead, Experience the World – The Train

Best Local Film:

WINNER: Under the Influence

Nominees: Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit

Firstly we would like to thank you to the amazing companies and performers who have made Kingston an exciting and inspiring place to be over the last 10 days.

A wide variety of awards celebrate all facets of our multi-arts programme, with each individual show/performance being reviewed by one of our team members. All companies who win an award also win a free registration to take part in FUSE International 2023 the following year. 

Best of Comedy: Appetite Everywhere by Hot Lemon

Best Solo Show: Manic by Raina Greifer

Best Music Performance: Erin May Official

Best of Theatre: Untitled Doc by Dark Roots Theatre Company

Best of Dance: Dillon Dance Youth

Best of Children & Families: The Silly Squirrel by Above Bounds Theatre

Best Ensemble: St John’s C of E Primary 

Upcoming performances:

• Manic – 05-28 August 2022, Zoo Playground, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

After the huge success of our International Youth Arts Film Festival in 2021 we could not wait to showcase more films this year with our glittering FUSE Film showcase and awards.

FUSE Film focuses on celebrating the work of young film makers and sharing the creative talents of incredible emerging casts and crews.

This year we will be screening all of our shortlisted films and awarding our winners in the following categories:

• Best Short Film
• Best Miniature Film
• Best International Film
• Best Local Short Film

You can purchase your tickets for our screening at the Rose Theatre on 4 July 2022 at 19:00 by clicking here.

View the full FUSE Film 2022 short list here.

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