Here’s one to pop in the diary for that final post-bank holiday weekend at the end of August. You know, the one that really does signal the end of summer, before September strikes – and everything goes back to normal.
Yup, down on Granary Square, on Aug 30 and 31, is an ambitious outdoor event called Battle Bridge, a celebration of the “mythological” Roman history of King’s Cross. Yikes.
The free festival, which takes place over two days, is an on-trend “immersive” theatrical happening which, the organisers say, will allow you “to go back in time and experience a day in the life of a London Roman”. So expect everything from horse-drawn chariots and warrior queens to re-enacted battles and gladiator workshops. And, we bet, more than a few emperors too.
Kids (and probably some adults) will be keen to rampage round a reconstructed Roman village, complete with slaves and strapping centurions to chat to – in character, of course. Failing that, you could take a dip in the baths, although with alfresco temperatures firmly on the slide you might want actually to keep your toga on.
What else? The follically-fascinated will be able to learn how to braid hair, while creative souls can master the art of mosaic-making – or simply swan about in the full regalia, 50 AD stylee.
And there’s food and drink galore: “Roman”-inspired cocktails, no doubt brimming with berries and honey, will flow like, um, wine; and our favourite streetfood obsessives KERB are dishing up an appropriately epic feast bang in the middle of Granary Square.
Free evening outdoor screenings of Roman-themed films, too: Asterix in Britain and Ben-Hur on Friday 29, with Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra and Spartacus on Saturday 29th August (see poster, right, for times). Seating is on the canalside steps, with bar and streetfood available.
So get down there next weekend and lend them your ears. Or summat.
