Thank you to everyone who was part of FUSE 2025!
From the performers and chaperones, to the audiences, technicians and volunteers, FUSE saw an inspiring range of shows and activities coming to Kingston across the 9-day festival this summer.
International highlights
We continued to foster significant international collaborations, with 2025 highlights including:
• The Kpop Hop: A high-energy cross-cultural street dance performance linking Siheung City Youth Foundation (South Korea), Vital Signz Dance and Kingston College. This event was preceded by the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Siheung City Youth Foundation.
• Cross-cultural dance workshop: A day of exchange between UK dancers and visiting Korean artists, documented in a short film.
Watch the video celebrating the collaboration
• Future plans: Creative Youth has been invited to contribute to Siheung City Youth Day in October 2025, continuing to build international links.
• Returning international artists: Bucharest’s 2024 festival favourites returned with a bold neon-soaked 1980s reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Pre-flood FUSEBOX plans
FUSEBOX was due to act the heart of the festival – the home of fringe shows and a social space for artists, volunteers and audiences. Losing this hub was a key challenge for us, and is something will return to next year. Additionally, this reduced key earned income such as Bar Income; making our achievements in exceeding targets even more demonstrable.
Activity we planned to deliver during FUSE:
- Magyk Open Call Exhibition, funded by Arts Council England and curated by Young Creatives
- Fringe shows including a cabaret show by Karma Obscura, returning favourites from FUSE International and FUSEBOX Festive Programme.
- Solo exhibition by emerging international artist Caroline Lacoma, entitled ‘The Making of a Woman’.
Audience feedback
“The festival was great. I really enjoyed the variety of different performances available and the vibrant atmosphere.”
“I love FUSE international. I love the idea of it, I love the execution and every year I think I must see more next year.”
“Overall it was a lovely experience, well organised, and a beautiful space to watch it”