A ROCK being eroded by the wind is planning to exact his revenge and steal the winds of Weymouth in a spectacular performance.

Set over three-days the epic Battle for the Winds, which starts today, will see hundreds of performers and artists from Dorset and as far afield as Brazil taking part in the theatrical and artistic spectacle.

Battle for the Winds is part of the Maritime Mix, London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea.

The story has already begun with Aeolus, Father of the Winds, calling for all the winds of the South West to be brought to Weymouth to help the Olympic sailors. In response, seven teams of Wind Gatherers from each region have been gathering the winds, telling tales as they make their way to the borough.

But evil baddie Doldrum is plotting to steal the wind and takes it to his lair on Portland tomorrow and the final battle will take place on Weymouth Beach on Saturday.

Disabled and non-disabled dancers from the UK and Brazil performing with the Breathe company will take part in the final battle and there will be a mass squibbing as the grand finale to the show.

Squibbing goes back 400 years and takes place every Guy Fawkes night in Bridgwater, Somerset as part of its annual carnival.

Jenny Gordon from the Breathe project said: “There will be a chance to see the seven wind machines on the beach. There will be people flying above the crowds, there will be circus, theatre, dancing.

“It will be an amazing spectacle on the beach and it’s completely free.”

There will then be a Torch Wade as the final act to release the Olympic winds for the Games so that the sailors can compete and hopefully bring home gold.

The event will see 2,012 people wade out into Weymouth Bay carrying torches. Lisa Worthington from the Maritime Mix said the Battle for the Winds was going to be amazing.

She said: “It’s going to be a huge performance. It will be amazing.

“It’s going to be like nothing Weymouth has ever seen before.”

The project was developed from an original concept – The Quest – in 2007 by companies Cirque Bijou and Desperate Men and promises to be an epic performance that people in the borough will not forget.

BATTLE OF THE WINDS TIMETABLE

TODAY

Gathering of the Winds – Seven wind gathering machines will be in different locations:

  • 11am-1pm – Easton , Portland
  • Noon-4pm – Weymouth Esplanade by the Jubilee Clock, St Thomas Street and Kings Statue.
  •  2.30pm – By the Jubilee Clock- Mobility Scooter Ballet

TOMORROW

The Search for Doldrum’s Lair Various 30 minutes performances from noon to 2.30pm at the High Angle Battery on Portland

SATURDAY

Wind Gatherers procession on Weymouth Esplanade noon – 4pm

The Final Battle on Weymouth Beach 8.45pm – 10pm and torch wade at 10pm

Breathe performance (part of Battle for the Winds) on Weymouth Beach Live Site 9pm