THE CURRATORS of a year long festival celebrating the more mercurial side of our existences are to return with an artistic fusion in September.

Since December 21, the winter solstice, the Festival of the Dark has been exploring different aspects of light and shade through a number of innovative performances and pieces.

It began at Reading’s Olympia Ballroom with a dinner in the dark that morphed into a far-out polyrhythmic music composition and epic poem, performed to an audience sat on the floor.

Other notable events across the months have included Dark Renga, a night time poetry recital in Clayfield Copse woods, and a drive-in film screening on a Reading Buses motor.

On September 1 and 2 at South Street Arts Centre ‘Song of Crow’ will constitute the festival’s latest addition.

“It does not have to be this way; was not always this way,” an obscure leaflet for the play reads.

“Creator Crow, crotchety, passionate, magical, returns to Planet Earth for two nights only, pep talk fizzing. A mythical journey through spoken word, dance, music, movement, film, music, light.

“By exploring our sense of connection, threatened climate and shaken communities, Crow reflects on what damage has already been done to the earth; ‘What we have is all we have. And what we know is all we know. And where we are is where we are.’ “And so Crow gives us the Earth, as she is now in her wounding, all over again. The choice is ours…’where will we go from here?’ Will we continue on this path until there are no bees, no trees, nothing but dead land and dead seas? Or is there a better way?

“Come and see this unique event, exploring the most urgent issue of our time. Funded by Arts Council England and supported by a number of organisations in Reading.”

Tickets are £14 from www.readingarts.com