The Voyage's journey proves epic

It was full steam ahead for an outdoor music and dance show on board a 50ft replica ship The Voyage, as it set sail over the weekend after rain had postponed it launch.

The hour-long show in Victoria Square performed over the weekend at 10pm attracted over 10,000 late-night revellers and featured 140 dancers, a gospel choir, live orchestra and aerialists.

The production was played out on the ship, which was built along the side of Birmingham Town Hall and was made to look as if it had moored in the square. Acrobats swung through the air from the ship's rigging and performed extravagant routines while suitcase-carrying actors appeared in the middle of the audience, which ranged from young children to pensioners.

Once the ship set sail, the square was transformed with digital imagery projected onto the town hall to create an animated skyline and reflect the changing tide.

The show is set in a time period spanning 1940 to 1960, which the producers say represents the last great age of sea travel and marks the start of mass emigration.

It tells the story of a group of passengers that encounter danger when their ship hits stormy waters through acrobatic displays, dance and music.

The free show opens the festival in the West Midlands and is one of 70 arts events during the Olympics.