Three days of world-class entertainment approaches, as the National Circus Festival reveals its 2024 line-up – showcasing a spectacular celebration of world-class acts.
Hundreds of events are set to take over four venues, including The Famous Spiegeltent, at Mullumbimby Showground in New South Wales.
The Famous Spiegeltent was built in the 1920s. She’s a star in her own right, and has spent her lifetime at the bequest of festivals and fairgrounds throughout Europe. Some of the world’s greatest cabaret artists, musicians and circus burlesque performers, including Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s, have performed there.
The festival, presented by Spaghetti Circus, promises to be unforgettable for all ages. . . From awe-inspiring acrobatics, world-class circus, and sensational cabaret.
Kicking things off are Melbourne’s ‘Escalate’, by Throw Catch Collective. It’s a thrilling fusion of rhythm, movement and juggling. Then, Belfast-based Snatch Circus delivers ‘Snatch And Grab’, a chaotic, captivating show filled with dangerous juggling and absurd acrobatics.
Spaghetti Circus will present ‘Monumental 2.0’, reimagined in the round for a Big Top audience and presented by an ensemble of 11 to 19-year-olds, and featuring an original score from Musical Director and local violin impresario Sue Simpson, joined by Harry James Angus.
The festival will feature a variety of performances exploring themes of love, empowerment, and imagination. Highlights include charming circus rom-com ‘Space Between’ by 13 Eggs, and ‘Stir The Pot’ from Collective Circus, tackling societal pressures and celebrating feminine strength.
The family fun comes with Emilie Bloom’s ‘Fritz’, featuring an eccentric magician’s rabbit. . . And Daniel Oldaker’s ‘Ding Dilemmas’. Plus, young audiences can enjoy Hana Fiesta’s ‘Disco Fiasco’.
In the world of cabaret, there’s Jake Silvestro, Anna Fisher, Mario Queen Of The Circus, and clowning impresario Clare Bartholomew. The team from Brunswick Picture House will present their much-loved ‘Cheeky Cabaret’, and kids’ version ‘Lil’ Cheeky’.
There are also a bunch of acts which have already been announced – such as YUCK Circus presenting ‘Naughties’, Casus Creations with ‘You & I’, and ‘Small Wonders’, a collaboration between National Circus Festival Founder and circus legend Tony Rooke, juggler extraordinaire Joel Salom, and Spaghetti Circus alumni Bridie Hooper and Billie Wilson-Coffey.
A new addition is ‘Jazz Family’, a roving jazz club, a moveable feast of some of the Northern Rivers’ most exciting improvising musicians.
“The 2024 National Circus Festival is a celebration of the incredible variety and creativity of circus,” Festival Director Alice Caldwell says. “We are incredibly proud of this year’s programme, bringing together world-class performers and emerging talents to create a truly unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. From breathtaking acrobatics to heartwarming stories, we're offering something for everyone, and we can't wait to share the magic of circus with our community.”
Tickets are on sale now.
The 2024 National Circus Festival is on at Mullumbimby Showground (New South Wales) from 4-6 October.
