Circus Around & About is a pilot rural touring project aimed at taking high quality, small-scale, family-friendly circus performances to rural communities in Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset from July to September.
Funded by Arts Council England, the project is a partnership between Somerset-based Take Art and London-based Crying Out Loud; events in Dorset will be presented by Artsreach, the county’s touring arts charity.
“The pilot project takes more circus to more people across the South West. Crying Out Loud is collaborating with Take Art and rural touring schemes, reaching new communities who’ve not experienced contemporary circus in this way,” said Rachel Clare, artistic director, Crying Out Loud.
Circus Around & About has a varied selection of circus double bills in outdoor locations. Each outdoor event features two shows by extraordinary national and international touring companies.
In Dorset, Artsreach is presenting five performances throughout the summer, in Yetminster, Broadmayne, Halstock, Blandford and Litton Cheney.
Companies touring as part of the Dorset double-bills are Bristol-trained singer, dancer and physical theatre performer Tilly Lee-Kronick, an outstanding aerialist who performs static trapeze.
She has worked for renowned circus company Cirque Bijou and performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Her solo show Ripe is packed with fun and fresh ideas.
Through humour, music and circus skills, she will unpeel your assumptions about the effortless grace of aerial acrobatics.
Simple Cypher fuse hip hop and circus to create dynamic, uplifting experiences.
In ‘Roll Up, Roll Up’ Simple Cypher perform explosive tricks with effortless agility within a large, spinning steel ring known as a Cyr Wheel.
This skilled duo combines freestyle Hip Hop and acrobatics with juggling in an innovative and original way in this playful production.
Based in the South West, Pirates of the Carabina are an award-winning company of acrobats and musicians who trailblaze theatrical circus shows with live music.
They have performed at festivals and venues across the world.
Their new show Pirate Taxi tells their own tale of running away to the circus, with humour, original music and an ingenious set.
Tickets for all circus events must be booked in advance and full details, including covid-guidance is online. Take a chair/rug, and dress for all weather. More details and to book tickets, visit www.artsreach.co.uk