Regardless of what #TigerDouglas may have to say, both funded and commercial circus arts are thriving and giving us cause for joy this month.
The third incarnation of NoFit State Circus‘ big top promenade show Bianco is in Cardiff for their only British stand of the year between 12-27th, and Wales also sees tours from more traditional outfits Circus Mondao and Circus Zyair in June.
Gifford’s Circus are coming to Chiswick House with their vintage tent and wagons from 11-24th, and other tenting shows can be found around the country, with a handy click-through guide here. Circus Ferrel will be at the Welborne Festival on 13-14th, and that is just the start of the festival frenzy.
Glastonbury (24-28th) may be circus central, but for those who don’t have tickets, there’s always the free Greenwich + Docklands Festival which runs from 26th-4th July, with its Greenwich Fair weekend of ‘European style’ street theatre entertainments (27-28th) that includes Gandini Juggling and Stefano di Renzo.
City of London Festival, running from the 22nd into mid-July, also includes a healthy dose of circus in its line-up. You want me to drop names? Circus Geeks; Betty Brawn; Ockham’s Razor; Pif-Paf; Scarabeus… need I go on?
Jacksons Lane have partnered up with the local Highgate Fair In The Square for a day-long festival on 13th and, back in the building, will be launching a new commission from the UKs own Silver Lining with Throwback, which opens on the 30th.
In other fixed venue news: after its previews, the new immersive Circumference show Shelter Me opens fully at Theatre Delicatessen on the 4th, and Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre sees the return of 7 Doigts de la Main with world famous Traces from the 9th.
Lest we forget, we also have the continuation of Beta Testing from Circus Geeks at the Udderbelly until the 21st, with the award winning Bromance boys of Barely Methodical Troupe taking over on the 24th. Also down at the South Bank, in the Wonderground Spiegeltent, is the continuing whisky and jazz infused Scotch&Soda.
Try telling us that arts funding doesn’t produce some darn good stuff.
Hi Katharine.Thanks for the consistently useful circus diaries.You may want to include BIG SEXY CIRCUS CITY…NEW CIRCUS FOR THE INFORMED CITIZEN..one month of triple A alternative accessible affordable New Circus on an immense 1500 capacity two acre dedicated circus site at Edinburgh Fringe.Pearl headliner WINGS in my heart from Zurich with six ex Cirque du Soleil and a six times world champ tap dancer alongside Uk hip hop champ and the Balance Goddess performs the Sandorn Balance.Totally new skills and first time in uk.Plus HITCH by Mary Bijou five star reviews and sold out Bath Fringe Spiegel.THREE FOR ONE TICKETS EVERYDAY..buy WINGS or HITCH and get Free buskers amphitheatre,glasto faves Swing Circus and Ms Merlins Interstellar Big Sexy All Star Cabaret high octane cabaret til midnight with ace compere Pee Wee Murray..3 hr kids workshops ten colourful movement skills £3 everyday plus free fireshows inc Ellis Grover 100 metre highwire walk and Circus Maximus winner Sam Goodburn plus sunshine sound sytem barbecues with amazing dhs playin reggae funk and house and a team of ten welcoming performance liveners inc unicyclists jugglers acro doubles hoop highwire and beautiful stilted costumed walkabouts to prime the crowds together.Good value streetfood and funky bars plus mental fireshows from Barnz at Pirates of Caribina plus Full Cirqle Edinburgh and twenty assorted highly skilled crew.We are hosting the British Council showcase too.Two big top marquees on a two acre site with light design by Pitlochrys multi award winning Enchanted Forest and bonfires projections chill out lawn and sofamids make it a place to hang out and get the very best in international and local circus on a triple A basis with three for one deals all day everyday.BOOM.steve kennedy.Big Sexy Circus City producer 07903968975…..five open air aerial rigs with viewing decks and free training spaces for performers inside and out.crew bar.rockin!!!!!!!!!!!!!