THE full line up for the All in the Mind Festival has been officially revealed and tickets are going fast.

A total of 18 theatre, dance, visual art and musical acts from around the UK will take part in the festival, which is returning for 2021 to its home in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The free event has been designed to include something for everyone, with acts to sit back and enjoy as well as many activities families can get involved in.

As previously reported, All in the Mind Festival aims to shine a light on mental health and wellbeing, encourages people to consider different aspects of keeping ourselves well, and break the stigma that still surrounds many aspects of mental health and personal wellbeing.

The festival was started by Leigh Johnstone of Fluid Motion Theatre Company six years ago.

He said: “We can’t wait to bring the festival back to audiences in person this year and to connect with people in a way we’ve all missed out on this past year and a half. We’ve programmed a line-up of some fantastic and thought-provoking acts that will ensure our visitors can be inspired and entertained. It’s simply going to be a great day out.

“As well as a variety of wonderful performances we are also proud to include British Sign Language interpreters this year, who will be on hand to interpret different acts for BSL users.”

This year’s line-up includes performances exploring topics such as mindfulness, mental wellbeing, stress and loneliness, with some involving a view on sustainability. Some of the material has been written during and inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and periods of lockdown. Many of the performances will be suitable for younger audiences.

The performance this year are varied and include a sound installation based on Fluid Motion’s Recovery Project, a school’s programme aimed at getting young people talking about the pandemic, to pause and reflect on their experiences. Many said it was the first chance they’d had to explore and digest what had happened, and their stories have been brought together in a piece called Listen Up! People can sit, stand, or lie down and listen to six voices from the Recovery Project talk about their reflections and what they’ve taken from the experience.

Take Ten is a touring installation that has been developed from our adult outreach work for the Gathering Project. We will be encouraging people to come and take ten minutes to sit with us on swing chairs and listen to a soundscape, noticing how they feel in that brief moment of calm.

Clown About Town is a family friendly street theatre performance devised and performed by Lucy Enskat, about a clown on the run, wanted for a crime she didn’t commit! With her mini-big top in tow, she dares to put on a show, but nothing goes to plan. Attempting to prove her innocence, she finds ultimate freedom learning to be herself, in a world trying to make her like everyone else. This show is a sweet celebration of what it is to be human and a reminder that embracing our mistakes is the most liberating act of all.

The Neurotransmitters will travel around the festival on their carbon neutral wheels of speed, ready to read minds and transmit endorphins through the wonder of their iJac technology. Can their brain waves, relaxing tricks of their trade and silly antics help festival-goers to feel happy?

This year’s event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the festival’s audiences. Last year Fluid Motion launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise vital funds to protect the future of the event. The festival is also supported by Arts Council England who awarded a grant of £89,666 towards Fluid Motion Theatre Company to deliver a year of activities, of which the festival is the flagship event. Hampshire County Council has given almost £3000.

All in the Mind Festival takes place on Saturday, September 11, from 11am-6pm in Glebe Garden, Basingstoke. People can register for their free tickets at http://www.aitmfestival.com/. The full line-up can also be viewed at http://www.aitmfestival.com/