Circus City program by Sydney Festival

Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

CIRCUS CITY

RIVERSIDE THEATRES & PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22 JANUARY

CIRQUE ÉLOIZE I CANADA AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE RIVERSIDE THEATRE 12–22 JANUARY 110 MINS, INCLUDING INTERVAL

Roll up, roll up... Sydney Festival is bringing the circus to town and you’re invited. We’re delighted to be launching Circus City in Parramatta in 2017. Australia is a global leader in the art of circus, and we’re embracing this by gathering different circus practices from across the country and overseas all in one place. Riverside Theatres and the Spaghetti Circus Big Top (in Prince Alfred Square) will both play host to this action-packed celebration of everything circus that runs over 10 days. Join us for lively and moving performances, an outdoor trapeze, circus workshops, talks, films, an exhibition and a series of free events for professional circus artists. Best of all, it’s a program suitable for all ages – from one to 100 – with a breath-taking range of free and ticketed events to delight you and your family.

Sydney Festival would like to acknowledge our Circus Advisory Group which has helped inform the thinking around a range of events for professional circus artists in the Circus City program. Thanks to Jodie Farrugia, Darcy Grant, Josh Hoare, Gail Kelly, Bel Macedone, Chelsea McGuffin and Rob Tannion. Sydney Festival is delighted to be presenting Humans and Tipping Point in the Spaghetti Circus Big Top. We would like to thank Alice Cadwell, Leonie Mills and Simone O’Brien from Spaghetti Circus in Mullumbimby.

PRODUCER Theatre T & Cie THE TROUPE Urban Dancers Antonio Aguado, Forty Nguyen, Marie Pandora & Bryan Boyer Hand to Hand Angelika Kogut & Mateusz Rzeznikiewicz Trampowall, Power Stilts James Eddie Crane Trampowall, Juggling Jean-Philippe Deltell Cyr Wheel, Aerial Hoop Diana Gonzalez In-Line Skating Jon Larrucea Trampowall, Trial Bike Thibaut Philippe Trampowall, Chinese Pole Olivier Poitras Straps Gabriel Lafrance Trampowall, Hand balancing Angel Sanchez Saez Contortion, Aerial Silks Nicole Winter CREATIVE TEAM Director Jeannot Painchaud Assistant Director Marie-Ève Soutière Phase 1 – Director Assistant Nadia Labrie Executive Producer Jonathan St-Onge Set Designer, Illustrator & Video Projections Co-Designer Robert Massicotte

Show Acrobatic Designer, Head Trainer & Trampowall Act Designer Krzysztof Soroczyn´ski Artistic Contributor Mourad Merzouki Artistic Consultant Pierre Bernard Co-Composers Jean-Phi Goncalves & Alex McMahon Costume Designer Linda Brunelle Light Designer Nicolas Descôteaux Video Projections Co-Designer Alexis Laurence Make-Up Designer Suzanne Trépanier Phase 1 – Make-Up Designer Florence Cornet TECHNICAL TEAM ON TOUR Tour Director Eve-Marie Caron Technical Director, Head Video Benoit Archambault Stage Manager Marie-Hélène Marchand Head Rigger Pascal Lacas Head Carpenter, Head Sound Sébastien Canuel Head Sound, Carpenter Judith Rémillard Head Carpenter Alexandre Robichaud

JEANNOT PAINCHAUD PRESIDENT & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jeannot prides himself on bringing together creators from various backgrounds and incorporating different art forms into acrobatic acts. An artist and entrepreneur, Jeannot fell in love with the circus arts in 1984. A showman at heart with a genuine interest in all art forms, he decided to hit the road and travel the globe. As a graduate of Montreal’s National Circus School, Jeannot launched his career as an acrobat, juggler and specialist in artistic cycling for a variety of troupes. In 1993, he co-founded Cirque Éloize and performed in the company’s shows until leaving the stage in 1998 to devote himself to developing the company. As the Artistic Director of all of Cirque Éloize creations, he’s the mind behind the creative process woven within each of them. In addition to iD, Jeannot has directed numerous productions for the company such as Cirkopolis, the company’s ninth creation, which he developed in 2012 with Dave St-Pierre. The work won the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience in New York in 2014. From May 2009 to May 2013, he chaired the board of En Piste, the national circus arts network. Jeannot has also received the bronze medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain, the prestigious Samuel de Champlain Award and the UCDA Krider Prize for Creativity.

HUMANS

TIPPING POINT

Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz Technical Director/Lighting Designer Jason Organ Costume Design Libby McDonnell Circa Ensemble Nathan Boyle, Marty Evans, Scott Grove, Keaton Hentoff-Killian, Bridie Hooper, Nathan Knowles, Cecilia Martin, Daniel O’Brien, Kimberley O’Brien & Brittannie Portelli

Directors Charlotte Mooney & Tina Koch – Ockham’s Razor Producer Alison King – Turtle Key Arts Devised & Performed by Nich Galzin, Alex Harvey, Emily Nicholl, Telma Pinto & Steve Ryan Musical Composition Adem Ilhan & Quinta Equipment Design Ockham’s Razor Costume Design Tina Bicat Lighting Design Phil Supple Sound Engineer Shaun Dawson Company Stage Manager Sophie Postlethwaite

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE

In Humans I am aiming to compose an ecstatic love letter to our endangered species. Donald Hall described poetry as “a human inside, talking to a human inside”. This is exactly what Humans is seeking – bloodstreams, viscera, heartbeats and DNA talking, wrestling, singing, shrieking and finding some kind of common grace in our shared humanness. Nietzsche claimed he “would believe only in a God who could dance”. I think it would be worth adding a God who joins the Circus to his criterion. For, in addition to movement and music: trust, accepting the gift of weight, believing in our temporary mastery over the laws of physics and finding what ascendance we can. Together, these seem to me to be powerful affirmations for our species. Circa’s work has taken it around the world, across genres and into some pretty weird places (we’ve recently performed shows at the Barbican and BAM, in cathedrals and cemeteries and around a lake). In some ways Humans is a return to what we do best and most authentically. Powerfully direct physical statements of our humanity, infused with life, energy and a little humour. From another

perspective, Humans is a new departure – an attempt to find a contemporary rhapsodic; a positive dynamic Dionysian drive that makes our tumbles and balances more alive, more connected and more moving. Together we hope to test that validity of Nietzsche’s claim that “one must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star”. Yaron Lifschitz ABOUT CIRCA

Since 2004 Circa has been at the frontier of new circus, creating powerful works of circus art that blur the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus, and are able to challenge, thrill and delight audiences. Featuring an ensemble of multi-skilled circus artists under the direction of Yaron Lifschitz, Circa’s award-winning works have been seen in 34 countries across six continents. Circa runs a Training Centre with a workshop program in a dedicated circus studio in Brisbane (and with partners throughout Queensland and beyond) and also manages arTour, which supports artists to tour and assists Queensland presenters to program performance work for local audiences. Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Ministry for the Arts' Catalyst – Australian Arts and Culture Fund.

Humans is commissioned by MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard.

DIRECTORS’ NOTE

Tipping Point is set within a ring – the audience is drawn in close to the action. Forming a circle is a potent act. Humans have been using circles as part of ritual and performance for thousands of years. In magic, a circle marks an arena that at once offers protection from external forces and also creates a safe portal through which to encounter them. The circle reminds us of our relationship to the infinite, and to the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. There are mesolithic stone circles, circles in traditional boxing rings, in sumo, in the playground and, of course, in circus. They are enclaves for contemplation and places where limits are tested. So we find ourselves part of a pre-historic tradition as we draw and step into the ring. As we roll up our sleeves to wrestle with an idea. As we ask, how should we respond to the things that life throws at us? When is it time to fight and when is it time to let go? Using five performers, five long unstable metal poles and the ring of the stage we test the limits of control, chaos and companionship. Charlotte Mooney and Tina Koch

Photo: Mark Dawson Photography

OCKHAM’S RAZOR | UK I AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE SPAGHETTI CIRCUS BIG TOP PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE 17–21 JANUARY 65 MINS

Photo: Sarah Walker

CIRCA I AUSTRALIA I WORLD PREMIERE SPAGHETTI CIRCUS BIG TOP PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE 13–19 JANUARY 65 MINS

ABOUT OCKHAM’S RAZOR

“Ockham’s Razor is a hugely promising young aerial company who don’t just have superb circus skills, but also highly creative brains.” The Guardian We are an aerial theatre company that combines circus and visual theatre to make work that is arresting and entertaining. We specialise in creating physical theatre on original pieces of aerial equipment and developing stories from the vulnerability, trust and reliance that exists between people in the air. Rather than paint the circus performer as a superhuman character capable of impressive feats, we make work that draws on the human and the real, where the characters go through recognisable experiences, emotions and conflicts with which the audience can identify. Our shows are exciting and moving, and we feel that we’ve achieved our aims when members of the audience have said to us “I wanted to come on stage and do it with you”. Tipping Point won the Total Theatre and Jacksons Lane Circus Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016. The name Ockham’s Razor comes from a logical principle attributed to the medieval philosopher William of Ockham. It states that between two plausible theories, the simpler is preferable. Ockham’s Razor is produced by Turtle Key Arts. Tipping Point was co-commissioned by London International Mime Festival & The Lowry, Salford Quays. Supported by Dance City, Harlow Playhouse, artsdepot & Lincoln Drill Hall. Ockham’s Razor is supported by Arts Council England, PRS for Music Foundation, the Charter 600 Charity and the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

CIRCUS CITY SCHEDULE THU 12 JAN PERFORMANCES Humans iD Kaleidoscope Tipping Point TICKETED WORKSHOPS

7.30PM (P)

FRI 13 JAN

FULLY ACCESSIBLE (P) PREVIEW PERFORMANCE

SAT 14 JAN

SUN 15 JAN

TUE 17 JAN

THU 19 JAN

FRI 20 JAN

SAT 21 JAN

SUN 22 JAN

2PM

6PM

8PM

5PM

7.30PM

2PM & 7.30PM

2PM

6.30PM

2PM & 7.30PM

7.30PM

2PM & 7.30PM

4.30PM (P)

4.30PM

12PM & 4.30PM

3.30PM

6.15PM

5PM

8PM

6PM

2.30PM

1PM, 3.30PM & 6PM

10.30AM

Kaleidoscope Workshops FREE WORKSHOPS Hands on Circus: Aerial Antics! (Kids)«

WED 18 JAN

12.30PM, 3PM & 12.30PM, 3PM & 12.30PM, 3PM & 1PM, 3.30PM 5.30PM 5.30PM 5.30PM & 6PM 12PM

& 6PM

1PM, 3.30PM & 6PM

12.30PM

2PM

3PM & 4.30PM

1.15PM

3PM

3PM & 4.30PM

1.15PM

3PM

Hands on Circus: Aerial Antics! (Adults)«

4.30PM

Hands on Circus: Ground Controllers! (Kids)« Hands on Circus: Ground Controllers! (Adults)«

12.30PM

Hands on Circus: Tiny Tots Take Off!«

10.30AM

Hands on Circus: Seniors Circus!«

12.30PM

4.30PM 10.30AM

10.30AM

Hands on Circus: Thisability!«

10.30AM

Hands on Circus: Mixed Bag (Kids)«

4PM

Hands on Circus: Mixed Bag (Adults)«

4PM

Ockham’s Razor Workshop for people with disability« CIRCUS ON SCREEN

4PM 10AM

The Show of Shows«

7.15PM

Grazing the Sky«

4PM

Circus without Borders«

6.15PM

7.15PM

The Butterfly Circus«

5PM

Circus Post: Volume 1«

4PM

1.15PM

4PM

Circus Post: Volume 2«

5.45PM

2.45PM

5PM

Australian Circus Shorts« TALKING CIRCUS

5PM

Circus Elders«

3.15PM

Circus and Access«

3.15PM

Where Are We Heading?«

3.15PM

Krzysztof Soroczyn´ski « EXHIBITIONS / COMMUNITY EVENTS 6

RELAXED PERFORMANCE AUSLAN

6PM (P)

1PM, 3.30PM & 6PM

Flying Trapeze Workshops

KEY « FREE

9.15PM

The Circus Comes To Town!«

8PM

Circus: Family Act«

9AM–5PM

9.30AM–7.30PM

10AM–5.30PM

9AM–5PM

9.30AM–7.30PM 10AM–5.30PM

KALEIDOSCOPE

CIRCUS ON SCREEN

COMPANY 2 | AUSTRALIA LENNOX THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 13–18 JANUARY 60 MINS

THE SHOW OF SHOWS

13 & 21 JANUARY 80 MINS DIRECTED BY BENEDIKT ERLINGSSON | UK

ARTISTS/CO-CREATORS Ethan Hugh, Oliver Foley, Skip Walker Milne, Alice Muntz, Kate Muntz & Teisha Hinsch

Photo: Dylan Evans

Director Chelsea McGuffin Writer Joanna Wharton Musical Director & Co-Creator David Carberry Lighting Design Dan Black Costume Design Linda Hinsch Set Design David Carberry DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Kaleidoscope is a show the whole family can enjoy. Built around one of the co-creators, Ethan, the show attempts to step inside his magical world. From the moment I met Joanna and Ethan I was captivated. Joanna’s compassion and patience, which allows Ethan the space to explore his uniqueness, is truly inspiring. Ethan’s ability to see and speak the truth is empowering. Inspired by the wonder of Ethan’s story, Kaleidoscope has since grown from a conversation into a workshop idea and now a performance. As a mother and creative person who is always seeking new experiences, I was completely energised by this story and feel this is the start of something big. It has opened new doors and feels like a great privilege to bring young people’s stories to the stage. Kaleidoscope is a show that aims to bring to life the colour, chaos and incredible beauty of Ethan’s everyday life. It is the result of a collaboration between a unique boy, an inspiring story and the lyrical world of circus arts.

The Show of Shows takes us back to when the most outlandish, skilful and breathtaking circus acts travelled the world. It tells the story of itinerant circus performers, cabaret acts, vaudeville and fairground attractions. Rare and never-before-seen footage of fairgrounds, circus entertainment, freak shows, variety performances, music hall and seaside entertainment are chronicled from the 19th and 20th centuries, including home movies of some of the greatest circus families.

CIRCUS WITHOUT BORDERS

ETHAN HUGH

Ensemble Artist (and inspiration for this show) At 13 years of age, Ethan’s world is a place of wonder, where everything is up for question. Born with Asperger’s Syndrome and a hearing impairment, he travels through layers of complex dynamics – the near enlightened senses and raw emotions, interwoven like delicate fuses – there within is a person seeking to be satisfied and whole. Ethan possesses wonderfully eccentric qualities, and his life is one of untameable beauty.

14 & 20 JANUARY 80 MINS DIRECTED BY SUSAN GRAY | USA

Circus Without Borders is a documentary about Guillaume Saladin and Yamoussa Bangoura. They are best friends and world-class acrobats from remote corners of the globe who share the same dream – to bring hope and change to their struggling communities through circus. One is from a remote Inuit community in the Arctic Tundra, the other from the bustling but poverty-stricken capital of Guinea, West Africa.

COMPANY 2

Company 2 is a small arts company striving to create work that enables us to grow as artists and to push the artform, but remain accessible to our audience. We make contemporary circus that is full of heart, created with passion and engaged with fellow artists who wish to do the same. Driven by David Carberry and Chelsea McGuffin, the work we create is devised collaboratively, with everyone from performers to technicians. Our backgrounds are as dancers, musicians and circus artists, and our language is circus – but we draw heavily from movement and have a strong sense of musicality in all our work. Our hope is that we can engage with all who see us perform, who work with us on stage and off, and that they can share our passion.

GRAZING THE SKY

15 & 19 JANUARY 90 MINS DIRECTED BY HORACIO ALCALÁ SPAIN, MEXICO & PORTUGAL

Grazing the Sky takes a revealing look at the incredible physical exploits of circus acrobats, and finds compelling stories of men and women confronting adversity – including the real risk of severe, debilitating injury. The price of life in the limelight includes years of study and practice, an iron discipline, an ongoing commitment to learning new skills and constant travel.

CIRCUS POST

VOLUME 1 & 2: 14, 15 & 21 JANUARY

40 MINS

DIRECTED BY DEBORAH MAY | UK

A series of short films made by Crying Out Loud and filmmaker Deborah May contextualising the development of contemporary circus over the past 40 years.

THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS

19 JANUARY 20 MINS DIRECTED BY JOSHUA WEIGEL | WRITTEN BY JOSHUA WEIGEL & REBEKAH WEIGEL | USA

At the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus discovers a man without limbs being exploited at a carnival sideshow. After an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed.

AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILMS 20 JANUARY 90 MINS

MARK ST LEON ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE

Circus historian, Mark St Leon introduces and presents a series of archival clips featuring the Wirth, Ashton and Honey circus families, and a focus on Con Colleano – the Australian tightwire artist who became the star attraction in America. CIRCUS NOMADS DIRECTED BY IVAN GAAL

In 1975 the Swiss circus, Circus Royal, arrived in Australia and joined Australia’s Ashton Circus to perform around the country. This observational documentary is about their performance in Melbourne that year. NEW CIRCUS DIRECTED BY MANDY SMITH

The elemental physicality and raw beauty of circus captures heart and imagination. Much lies behind the thrill of the performance. New Circus was a backyard experiment that drew people in. This short film by Mandy Smith captures a slice of time featuring performers who in 1978 became founding members of Circus Oz (when New Circus joined with Soapbox Circus). Amongst other circus highlights, the film sees Tim Coldwell, who continues as a Senior Circus Artist with Circus Oz, performing on the highwire.

Chelsea McGuffin

WORKSHOPS KALEIDOSCOPE WORKSHOPS COMPANY 2 | AUSTRALIA LENNOX THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 14, 17 & 18 JANUARY 120 MINS

Image: Advertising sign, 'Wirths Circus Coming Here Soon', card, made by Robert Harding, Melbourne, Victoria, used by Wirths' Circus, Australia, 1930-1937, 2012/104/39 MAAS Collection

CIRCUS: FAMILY ACT

MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES | AUSTRALIA RIVERSIDE THEATRES FOYER 12–22 JANUARY

From the late 1860s circus performers travelled throughout Australia entertaining the public with acrobatics, clowning, riding, lassoing, magic and animal performances. The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) has a rich and diverse collection of circus history and the display in the foyer of Riverside Theatres features items from two important Australian circus families, the Wirths and Jandaschewskys.

In this complementary workshop program (led by artists from the show) enjoy structured and creative play opportunities to discover your imaginative potential. It’s all about enabling the young-at-heart to further develop creative thinking, discover the pleasure in making, slip into the world of devising and build performing skills, as well as rethinking the potential of circus. Come and be part of creating art – and learn some terrific new circus skills WORKSHOP LEADERS Oliver Foley, Teisha Hinsch, Ethan Hugh, Chelsea McGuffin, Alice Muntz, Kate Muntz & Skip Walker-Milne

FLYING TRAPEZE WORKSHOPS SYDNEY TRAPEZE SCHOOL | AUSTRALIA PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE 13–22 JANUARY 120 MINS

Ever wondered what it feels like to fly? Or wanted to experience the rush of swinging eight metres above the ground and being caught mid-air? Sydney Trapeze School offers flying trapeze classes to the general public in a safe, fun and motivating environment in St Peters. But – for the duration of Circus City, from 13-22 January – they are setting up a temporary rig in Prince Alfred Square, so you will have the chance to enjoy a flying trapeze experience in the great outdoors. Places are limited, so book early.

CIRCUS FOR EVERYONE – HANG AROUND WITH AERIALIZE!

AERIALIZE – SYDNEY AERIAL THEATRE | AUSTRALIA RIVERSIDE THEATRES COURTYARD 13–15 & 20–22 JANUARY

Aerialize is Sydney’s leading aerial and circus arts training centre and performance company. A not-for-profit organisation, it runs courses that are fun, dynamic and challenging in a safe and comfortable environment for people of all ages and abilities. At Circus City, Aerialize will be offering a range of exciting classes for everyone from tiny tots to seniors and all those in between covering lots of different circus skills including: Static Trapeze, Silks/Tissu, Lyra, Acrobalance, Acrobatics, Hula Hoops, Juggling and Manipulations. Aerialize represents professional circus artists from around Australia and emerging-artists from the ‘Aerialize Youth Performance Troupe’.

OCKHAM’S RAZOR WORKSHOP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY OCKHAM’S RAZOR | UK SPAGHETTI CIRCUS BIG TOP PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE 22 JANUARY

Ockham’s Razor is an aerial theatre company that combines circus and visual theatre to make work that is arresting and entertaining, and has presented a range of inclusive circus workshops across the UK. Ockham’s Razor is excited to offer a special aerial theatre workshop as part of Circus City that will be open to people who identify as disabled or Deaf. This workshop coincides with the season of Tipping Point in the Spaghetti Circus Big Top. WORKSHOP LEADERS Alex Harvey, Charlotte Mooney, Telma Pinto, Steve Ryan, Nich Galzin & Emily Nicholl

TALKING CIRCUS WHERE ARE WE HEADING? RAFFERTY’S THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 18 JANUARY 120 MINS

A conversation with a broad cross section of the Australian circus community where they’ll reflect on what landscape they want to leave for the next generation of circus artists.

CIRCUS AND ACCESS RAFFERTY’S THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 19 JANUARY 90 MINS

A wide ranging discussion touching on the work being made by professional circus artists who identify as disabled in Australia, the opportunities that exist for young people with disability to engage with circus and professional pathways for circus artists with disability locally and internationally. Featuring: Sarah Houbolt, Ethan Hugh, Alison King, Lachlan ‘Loki’ Rickus & Joanna Wharton Moderator: Sarah-Vyne Vassallo

CIRCUS ELDERS RAFFERTY’S THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 20 JANUARY 90 MINS

This panel turns the spotlight on individuals who have made a significant impact on the Australian circus industry. There will be a discussion about those who continue to perform and innovate – challenging the notion that circus is an art form for young artists and those who are passing on their knowledge and skill to the next generation of circus performers. Featuring: Clete Ball, Christine Danton, Robin Laurie & Dr. Mark St Leon Moderator: Mike Finch

KRZYSZTOF SOROCZYN´SKI RIVERSIDE THEATRE 20 JANUARY 60 MINS

Krzysztof Soroczyn´ski with cast from iD in conversation with Patrick Nolan.

THE CRESCENT, PARRAMATTA PARK 28 JANUARY

SCENT OF SYDNEY SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS

SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | AUSTRALIA

IN 2017 WE PRESENT THIS MUCH-ANTICIPATED FREE PERFORMANCE IN THE BEAUTIFUL PARRAMATTA PARK. BRING A HAMPER, A BLANKET AND YOUR FRIENDS, AND SETTLE IN FOR AN EVENING OF DELIGHTFUL MUSIC.