Photo Flash: WOMAD Takes Over The National Theatre's River Stage Festival

This summer, the River Stage Festival returns to London's South Bank. Taking place on the National Theatre's appropriately named River Stage, this free festival sees some of the leading arts and culture organisations from around the UK share their craft, through performances and workshops.

Companies to "take over" the stage include HOME Manchester, Rambert and The Glory, who return for a second year to the festival. WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) were the latest to take part this August, featuring performances from Gypsy Hill, The Bollywood Brass Band and Msafiri Zawose as well as many others.

Speaking to BroadwayWorld before the festival, Director of WOMAD Chris Smith said: "WOMAD celebrates diversity, togetherness and sharing cultures across borders so it is perfect for us to collaborate with the NT's River Stage, showcasing some of the best global acts in the most varied, buzzing and colourful city on the planet. We are delighted to be bringing a splash of colour and the funky festival vibes from WOMAD to central London and to work with such a prestigious institution as the NT."

Highlights from the weekend ranged from dancing dads to beat boxing babies! Read all about it in our complete write-up of the weekend, available later this week. In the meantime, check out our interviews with band Afro Cluster, dancer Ripton Lindsay and beat box champion Grace Savage.

See below for some behind-the-scenes snaps from the day...

Amira Kheir
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

Afro Cluster
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

Mr Benn
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

Ripton Lindsay
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

Grace Savage
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

Msafiri Zawose
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

NIMBA
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

Audience members dancing to NIMBA
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

NIMA dancing with audience members
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

WOMAD at the National Theatre, River Stage
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

The Bollywood Brass Band
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

Gypsy Hill
Photo credit: Guy Peterson
Gypsy Hill
Photo credit: Guy Peterson

Amira Kheir
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

Amira Kheir
Photo credit: Rona Kelly

Amira Kheir
Photo credit: Rona Kelly