THE intricate art of gamelan drumming is coming to Southend for a special show and workshop this weekend.

The gamelan is a Balinese percussion instrument – a complicated set of interlocking parts – so huge it requires between ten and 30 people to play it to produce a magical, shimmering sound.

Tomorrow Lila Cita, the UK’s premiere Balinese gamelan ensemble, will be joined by Balinese dance troop, Lila Bhawa, to christen East 15 Acting School’s own gamelan drum at Clifftown Studios.

“We have one of our tutors on our BA World Performance course who’s a member of the group Lila Cita,” explains Clare Cook, community engagement facilitator for Essex University.

“We have a gamelan for use by the students that’s been brought over from Bali. It needs between ten and 30 people to play it. It’s percussion based and a really different sound.”

But the university didn’t want their fascinating new addition to be reserved for the students, so are inviting anyone to come and watch the performance, and take part in a workshop on Sunday.

If the weekend is a success, there is even the possibility of starting a Southend gamelan group.

Clare says: “The World Performance course has allowed us to look at different types of performance.

“It’s nice to open that up to the community because we have this opportunity to get this professional group down to play for us.

“We thought it would be nice if it wasn’t just for the students.”

The performance tomorrow will see Lila Cita, who have toured the UK and abroad playing at venues including Fondacion la Caixa in Barcelona, St James's Palace, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Glastonbury Festival, playing the traditional instrument.

Lila Bhawa, who often invite leading dancers from Indonesia to perform with them, will provide the visual spectacle, showcasing classical Balinese and Javanese dancing. They’ll be joined by students from East 15 who’ll perform a traditional Baris Gede ritual dance.

On Sunday, there will be workshops for adults and children. Workshops are suitable for children from the age of six and for adults of all ages.

Tomorrow’s show, at Clifftown Studios in Nelson Street, is at 7pm and suitable for all ages. Tickets are £8, or £5 for concessions, and include entry to Sunday’s workshops. Entry to the workshops alone is £2.

Adult workshops will run from 11am-midday and 12.30-1.30pm. Childrens’s workshop will run from 2.30-4.00pm.

To book tickets or a workshop place, call 01702 328279 or e-mail ccook@essex.ac.uk.