A WORLD premier of a high wire act will be performed in Devizes this summer as part of the carnival programme.

The Equilibrius show will be a star turn at the International Street Festival on the first weekend of the carnival fortnight on August 30 and 31.

Jo Beal artistic director of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts said: "I am so excited. It’s not often that a small market town in central Wiltshire can boast a world premiere, but that’s exactly what DOCA is proudly presenting this year.

"Equilibrius is a high wire show which draws from a less known British tradition of touring funambulism, and the high wire rig is believed to be the first touring rig since the 1950s.

"The Bullzini Family’s two giant pylons face one another, offering platforms bridged by a fragile tensile wire. Eight metres from terra firma, fantastic feats of equilibrium will be performed with daredevil ease."

She is promising two days of inspirational shows from across the Uk and with international performers from Holland, France, Italy and Spain.

She said: "As well as selecting shows and music to appeal to the widest audience, DOCA has sought out the best of the South West to showcase in Devizes.

"Alongside The Bullzini Family, Desperate Men - also based in Bristol - have been receiving rave reviews for their playful, physical and darkly comedic show Slapstick & Slaughter which attempts to confront the absurdity of war in 35 minutes."

DOCA has co-commissioned Gobbledegook Theatre to create the best mobile party of the season with what Mrs Beal calls a tres sophistiqué hostess.

The weird and wonderful continues with Mufti Does Games which will recruit local crews to play battleships in their super-sized version of the classic naval guessing game.

There will also be Ramshacklicious’ Jack who should be at home with his well-meaning but over-bearing, risk-averse mum. But instead he's made a break for freedom with all of his belongings in tow.

Carnival fortnight also includes Picnic in the Park on August 23, the Confetti Battle on September 2 and the carnival parade on September 5.