They banged their drums, and boy, did the people come – more than 12,000 experienced the Clash of Drums/Danbor Talka as it snaked through the heart of town last Friday and Saturday night.
Produced by The Stables and IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, the stunning event was presented as Milton Keynes’ Official Spectacular to celebrate Rugby World Cup 2015, and spectacular it was - visitors gasped with delight, before taking to social media to shower praise on the show: 'Absolutely amazing. MK mixing sport and art in a way only we can do,' said one spectator, while another called it a 'Mad Max/Street Riot mash-up.'
International companies Les Commandos Percu (from France) and Deabru Beltzak (from the Basque region of Spain) did battle in the streets using drumming, fearsome war-like chanting and stunning pyrotechnics.
They were joined in the spectacular by eight UK and Milton Keynes-based pyrotechnic artists from Festive Road.
The free event meant that even non-rugby fans got their fill of good things, with a terrific firework display illuminating the wonderful performers at play, or rather at battle, when the finale was delivered by The Point in the heart of town.
For more see our gallery of pictures here: http://www.totalmk.co.uk/gallery-battle-of-drums-is-a-hard-hitting-success/
