SPACE hopper races, parachute games and a balloon release were among a host of activities for children at a theatre celebration in Oxford’s Florence Park.

The Pegasus Theatre, in East Oxford, is due to reopen in September after a £7.4m rebuilding project.

And to celebrate the new building and let people know what is planned for the new season, the theatre decamped to the park for the day for a party.

About 400 people turned out for the Pegasus in the Park event yesterday, and many signed up for information or activities on the spot.

As part of the relaunch, Pegasus has a new brand and logo formed of dozens of bubbling interlinked circles, and many of the activities happening on Thursday had a circular theme.

Euton Daley, the theatre’s chief executive and artistic director, said: “It was all about having fun in the park on one level, while the other was about letting people know that Pegasus is reopening in September and giving them a taste of some of the activities they will be able to try out in the new building.”

On offer were face painting, arts and crafts, a chance to design your own Pegasus brand on bags and posters, singing, dance and a percussion workshop.

Mr Daley said: “Most of the people here have been under-12s with their families, which is really nice.

“Although we haven’t really stopped carrying out activities, with our Pegasus on the Road events, we’re going to get even bigger and better.

“People think we do a lot of dance and drama, and those things will still be going on, but we will also be doing more music-based technology, band nights for young people, writing projects and street dance, which we haven’t done a lot of in the past.”

Joel Stanley, 11, from Cowley, tried out circus tricks and took part in a street dance workshop.

He said: “It was really good fun. I definitely want to get involved when Pegasus reopens. I’m really excited about the new building.”

The park event ended with a balloon release, with supporters and sponsors names’ attached to each balloon.

The balloon which travels the furthest by the theatre’s reopening date will win a prize.

A registration evening for children who want to get involved in projects at the Magdalen Road theatre will be held there on Thursday, June 17, starting at 5pm.

  • For more information about the theatre, see pegasustheatre.org.uk