FAMILIES across Cheshire are invited to an ‘outdoor immersive theatre experience’ in Crewe.

The Lost Carnival is part of a new collaboration between Wild Rumpus – the producers of the award-winning Just So Festival – and David Agnew, director of Bury Met.

The ‘spellbinding’ event will feature theatre and enthralling installations, circus, music, visual trickery and sideshows when it appears in Crewe on May 28, 29 and 30.

Following a brief appearance in Bury in 2015, where families saved the carnival from disappearing forever, The Lost Carnival is returning with a new, original story.

Organisers have dubbed the new tale a story ‘beyond your wildest imagination’, and will see two rival carnival families fighting for supremacy in The Battle of the Carnivals.

The full story will be revealed in the coming months in a series of podcasts, clues and archive footage, with families able to influence the drama in advance and at the live event.

Rowan Hoban, Wild Rumpus director, said: “The Lost Carnival is back with a vengeance. After being saved by the audience in Bury in 2015, it will be popping up in a different town or city each year, and we’ve heard whispers that Crewe is in its sights for 2016.

“Families can expect an evening of outdoor spectacular, with a story woven amongst circus performance, incredible sideshows, marching bands and incredible feats.

“But they need to be prepared to make a choice, for this isn’t just a carnival, but ‘The Battle of the Carnivals’, where the audience will help decide the most incredible contest in carnival history."

The Lost Carnival in Crewe is the second Lost Carnival event, with the secret venue yet to be announced.

Residents are also warned to look out for curious characters who will be popping up in locations across Crewe throughout May.

Those wanting to delve deep into the carnival world can also sign up online to become Carnivalistas.

A limited number of early bird tickets are available for £10 and can be purchased from www.thelostcarnival.org.uk

To keep up to date, sign up to the newsletter at www.thelostcarnival.org.uk and follow The Lost Carnival on Facebook and twitter #thelostcarnival.