It’s finally here and everyone is beyond excited. This weekend the National Circus Festival makes its way to the home of Spaghetti Circus at the Showgrounds in Mullumbimby, with internationally acclaimed acts by Australia’s leading performers at, not one, but two big tops – but wait, you also get The Famous Spiegeltent, aerial rigs, studios, and performances under the fig trees. There will also be a 25-metre inflatable globe, roving performers, a family play space, and an outdoor cinema. There is going to be way too much fun! This event is the culmination of a wild circus week in Mullumbimby. The National Circus Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the return of the Festival that was cancelled in 2021 owing to COVID and then the company and festival site was ravaged by the floods in February. The National Circus Festival is an opportunity to celebrate their triumphant return. Tickets from nationalcircusfestival.com
AROUND THE SITE
WARREN BROPHY, ‘THE WHEEL OF DEATH’
Warren Brophy takes on The Wheel of Death, a 12m high, 500kg steel pendulum that reaches a height of 12 metres. This thrilling act will see Warren perform acrobatics, skipping, and even walking blindfolded all while maintaining his balance atop the rotating cage. This high-adrenaline act is performed without the aid of safety nets or wires, making it a truly on-the-edge-of-your-seat experience.
THE GLOBE
Part art installation, part experimental play space, fully interactive and colourful, The Globe is a retired air balloon taking on a new life and is a joyfully creative experience for everyone. Watch the space inflate from a distance or join in the playful experiences created inside. The Globe is sure to be a sight of great beauty at the festival and invigorate the playful spirit inside of us all.
THE GAME
It will definitely be fun. We really need fun right now. Big fun with lots of people. There will be a giant wheel to spin, dice, ladders, and slides, pedestrians crossing, eggs and spoons, spots, riddles, flags, flashing lights (lots of those), some dancing. You might have to go backwards at some point, or invert; the rules will be complicated and definitely change a lot. There will be penalties, head starts, obstacles, bribery, and favourites. There will be rotten eggs, sore losers, and some opportunities to cheat – all in the name of fun.
PERFORMERS
CIRCUS TRICK TEASE, WERK IT
Werk It is an all-star circus comedy romp. Celebrating working with high-vis, spandex and 9 to 5 with vitality and vigour! It’s the low-carb love-child of a tradie, a spin instructor, and a cross-fit fiend. It is big tricks delivered by a hip-thrusting cast with more sass and swagger than a TLC videoclip.
SPAGHETTI CIRCUS PERFORMANCE TROUPE: BAILS OF HEY!
The Spaghetti Circus show is bursting at the seams with local talent. A new cast investigates and collaborates on this show; looking into a teenager’s world. Inspired by a reaction to climate-change protests, this show is a middle-finger response to being ignored and looked down on by politicians, media, and the adult world. The show is action-packed with acrobatics, aerials, teeterboard, and most of all – fun. The sea is rising, and so are we – Bails of Hey! is not to be missed!
GRAVITY & OTHER MYTHS: A SIMPLE SPACE
Brought to you by award-winning company Gravity & Other Myths: A Simple Space has achieved momentous international success, having been performed more than 850 times across 34 countries and receiving multiple awards, most notably the IPAY Victor Award for People’s Choice.
Seven acrobats push their physical limits without reserve; this performance is simultaneously raw, frantic and delicate. Supported by driving live percussion and presented so intimately that you can feel the heat, hear every breath, and be immersed in every moment, A Simple Space evokes real responses in audiences; something visceral rather than cerebral.
MUSICIANS
THE BOY OF MANY COLOURS COEDIE OCHRE WARRAH
Coedie was born on Bundjalung country, a Yidinji / Bar-Barrum man from far north Queensland, brought up in Cavanbah (meeting place) aka Byron Bay. With music an integral part of his way of life, he harnesses the ancient art of storytelling. Fusing the old ways with the new, he combines the sounds of the distant past and the modern age. He is a multi-disciplinary artist, producing, writing and editing all his own work. Backed by the distinguished Hydrofunk Records, he is a formidable talent.
JEX LOPEZ
Queer Mestiça pianist-singer, Jex Lopez, is influenced by Latin rhythms layered with delays and vaudevillian piano finished off by compelling operatic tones. From fairytales to Latin divas to circus arts, Lopez draws inspiration from all over the world and shares art in all its forms. A blend of intelligent lyrics, storytelling, progressive social themes and bold rhythms, this performance is as mesmerising as it is brutally honest. An artist like no other; theatrical, satirical, lyrical, and unique.
JAMIE MACDOWELL & TOM THUM
One is good with his fingers, the other is good with his mouth. Beatbox sensation, Tom Thum – best known for the most-watched TEDx talk of all time: Beatbox Brilliance – joins forces with bohemian singer-songwriter Jamie MacDowell to create original, genre-defying music that is ‘redefining musical parameters’ (Nouse). Armed only with a guitar, and a versatile voicebox able to convey any instrument, this duo eschew cynicism, exude joy, and defy expectations. A funny, riotous combination of folk-pop songs and virtuosic beatboxing that has seen this Australian duo garner a global following.
Tickets from nationalcircusfestival.com
