CIRCUS HUB RETURNS BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2017 WITH AN INCREDIBLE INTERNATIONAL LINE UP
CIRCUS COMPANIES FROM COLOMBIA, ETHIOPIA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM AND UK SET TO WOW AUDIENCES
A 4 KING-POLE BIG TOP AND SPIEGELTENT ALLOW SPECTACULAR CIRCUS SHOWS TO FLY AT EDINBURGH FRINGE 2017
CIRCUS HUB 2017 RUNS FRIDAY 4 TO SATURDAY 26 AUGUST
TICKETS ON SALE NOW VIA WWW.UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH.CO.UK
SELECTION OF IMAGES AVAILABLE HERE
After two successful years Circus Hub is bigger and better than ever before – presenting larger venues and bigger companies, this years programme is packed full of high flying, spectacular acrobatics to marvel at. 2017’s programme is truly international, with companies coming from Ethiopia, Colombia, Belgium, Ireland and Australia to offer Fringe audiences the best of world circus and cabaret.
Circus Hub, created and programmed by Underbelly, is one of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s most distinctive venues. Based on the Meadows, just a stone’s throw from Udderbelly in George Square Gardens, two venues – the Lafayette (a traditional 4 king- pole big top) and the Beauty (a 500-seater Spiegeltent) present technically ambitious circus work in purpose-built venues.
Directors of Underbelly, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, share their plans for the third year of Circus Hub 2017:
‘We’re delighted to bring Circus Hub back to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for its third year as a firmly established part of the Fringe and the destination for fans of circus.
‘This year the addition of a 4 king-pole big top allows us to present circus on a larger scale than previously seen, with large companies of 10 or more performers bringing technically complex shows featuring floor-based and aerial acrobatics to wow audiences. Around 31,000 audience members alongside 1,000 promoters and producers attended shows at the Circus Hub last year and we cannot wait to welcome circus fans to The Meadows again whilst simultaneously providing industry members access to a platform of world leading work.
‘We’re excited to be bringing such a wide variety of circus to the Fringe, with companies from Colombia and Ethiopia as well as Australia, Belgium and the UK. The programme features a wide variety of incredible circus acts as well as music, cabaret and circus shows for children. From families to late night fringe revellers there is truly something for everyone.
Highlights from this year’s programme in The Lafayette’s Big Top Tent include Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams, a joyful mix of astonishing stunts, astounding circus skills and enchanted adventures inspired by the childhood dreams of Ethiopian brothers Bibi and Bichu. Joining them will be the company behind 2015’s smash hit Bromance who return with KIN, an innovative and exhilarating five-star show about camaraderie. Acéléré by Circolombia brings guts, grace and gusto, direct from Bogota with 13 world-class, gravity defying performers celebrating Colombia’s diversity and, dubbed ‘the rock stars of the circus world’ (The List), world-renowned Circa (Closer, Beyond, Wunderkammer) are back with a new, thrilling and heart-stopping performance Humans. Rounding off The Lafayette’s offering with shouts of ‘everyone put your bins out!’ and returning after a 2016 total sell-out Fringe season, are side-splitting, circus family favourites, Trash Test Dummies!
In the Spiegeltent setting of The Beauty, audiences will be dazzled by the hits and high notes of Australian drag superstar Courtney Act: The Girl from Oz (RuPaul's Drag Race) (Australian Idol). In All the Fun, Belgian company Cie Ea Eo make their UK premiere with a hypnotic, tongue-in-cheek antidote to the glittering circus world that deconstructs the rules of juggling as you know it. ‘Queen of the Fringe’ (BBC) Camille O’Sullivan returns to the Circus Hub following a smash 2016 season with ‘Where Are We Now?’, questioning our crazily changing world with songs from Bowie, Cohen, PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. Forming part of 2017’s enhanced family programme is the enchanting Tales of Peter Rabbit & Jemima Puddle-Duck, featuring award-winning soprano and actress Michelle Todd performing alongside the Children's Classic Concerts Festival Ensemble. The Beauty will also see the return of award winning Head First Acrobats who are back with a brand new, rip-roaring and swashbuckling adventure for kids Arr We There Yet and for fans of last year’s runaway late-night acrobatic success Elixir, the boys return with a re-developed version.
Circus Hub in Edinburgh draws on the heritage of circus in the city. The Circus Hub tents are named after one of the world’s most famous circus performers and illusionists, The Great Lafayette and his dog Beauty, who famously both died in Edinburgh in 1911, the bigger and smaller of the tents respectively each presents a handful of world-leading circus companies.
Circus Hub will also host a community project The Summer Collective, which sees the Hub working alongside young people from Scotland. Piloted in 2015, The Summer Collective gives young people the opportunity to develop new skills and experience work in the creative sector and is a key way of demonstrating Underbelly’s belief in breaking down barriers between young people and the arts.
Underbelly has developed a reputation for producing, presenting and supporting circus in the UK. Recent highlights include creatively producing the international hit show LIMBO, as well as new commissions including Circa’s Closer and The Raunch. Underbelly's long- established Underbelly Festival Southbank in London regularly presents the best circus companies from the UK and around the world including Circa, Casus, Briefs, Flip FabriQue, Gandini Juggling and Pirates of the Carabina, with recent productions including Barbu by Cirque Alfonse and Scotch and Soda by Company2. In 2016, three Circus Hub shows were recognised at the Total Theatre Awards, and in 2015 B-orders won the Total Theatre Award for Circus. Underbelly also created the UK’s first annual circus competition Circus Maximus in 2013, in conjunction with the National Centre for Circus Arts. The winner of Circus Maximus 2015, Sam Goodburn, is also premiering his first solo show Dumbstruck over at Underbelly, Cowgate.
Underbelly’s Circus Hub runs from Friday 4 August to Saturday 26 August with an eclectic programme for all tastes.
For the full Circus Hub programme visit: www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk or www.edfringe.com
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Flickr Gallery: Circus Hub 2017 www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Circus Hub Enquiries contact: Kate Bouchier-Hayes – The Corner Shop PR +44 (0)131 202 6220 [email protected]
Susie Gray – The Corner Shop PR +44 (0)7834 073795 [email protected]
For Underbelly Enquiries contact: Fraser Smith +44 (0) 7801 552285 [email protected]
LISTINGS
The Lafayette
TRASH TEST DUMMIES (Underbelly) 1pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not Mon 14th)
CIRCUS ABYSSINA: ETHIOPIAN DREAMS (Underbelly and Bibi & Bichu) 3pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not Mon 14th or 21st)
KIN (Barely Methodical Troupe in association with Underbelly) 5pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not Mon 14th or 21st)
CIRCA: HUMANS (Underbelly) 7pm (60mins) Fri 4th – Sat 26th Aug (not 9th, 14th or 21st)
ACÉLÉRÉ by CIRCOLOMBIA (Circolombia in association with Underbelly) 9.15pm (60mins) Mon 7th – Sat 26th Aug (not 9th, 14th or 21st)
The Beauty
THE TALES OF PETER RABBIT & JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK (Jimmy Jewell in association with Children’s Classic Concerts) 12pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not Mon 14th)
ARR WE THE YET? (Head First Acrobats) 2pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not 14th or 21st)
ALL THE FUN (Cie Ea Eo in association with Aurora Nova) 4pm (60 mins) Sat 5th – Sat 26th Aug (not 14th or 21st)
COURTNEY ACT: THE GIRL FROM OZ (Working Management) 6pm (60 mins) Sun 13th – Sat 26th Aug (not 14th, 16th or 21st)
CAMILLE: WHERE ARE WE NOW? (Bound & Gagged in association with Tim Whitehead) 7:45pm (90mins) Fri 4th – Sat 26th Aug (not 9th, 14th or 21st)
ELIXIR (Underbelly and Head First Acrobatics) 10.15pm (60 mins) Fri 4th – Sat 26th Aug (not 9th, 14th or 21st)
About Underbelly:
Underbelly is a UK based live entertainment company. Their events and festivals division operates one of the largest operations at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, selling 234,000 tickets for over 140 shows over 25 days in 2016.
This year marks the ninth year of Underbelly on the Southbank, with Udderbelly and London Wonderground festivals – already two of the biggest multi-arts offerings in London - joining forces for the first Underbelly Festival.
Elsewhere Underbelly also produces Edinburgh’s Christmas, Christmas in Leicester Square, Udderbelly Festival in Hong Kong, West End Live in Trafalgar Square, Pride in London for Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, and produced the 2015 Rugby World Cup Fanzone in Richmond.
Through their Underbelly Productions arm they produce and promote live shows in London's West End, throughout the UK and on tour internationally. In 2016 Underbelly sold over 1.3 million tickets to their various events. www.underbelly.co.uk
Copy about Fringe:
Underbelly returns for its 18th year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With over 234,000 tickets sold for over 140 shows in 2016, this year is set to build on that success. Underbelly will once again bring the finest in Fringe entertainment for 2017, with over 150 shows across four venues: George Square Gardens, where the iconic Udderbelly once again takes up residence, a stellar circus programme at our Circus Hub on the Meadows, Underbelly Med Quad and our much-loved home on the Cowgate.
SHOW NOTES: Details of the full Circus Hub Programme, in order of daily appearance
The Lafayette (550 seats)
Trash Test Dummies (Australia). Presented by Underbelly.
Back by popular demand, sell-out success of Fringe 2015 and winners of the best children’s presentation at the Adelaide fringe festival 2015, the Trash Test Dummies are as full of laughs as their bins are full of surprises. Nominees of the 2015 Perth Fringe World Circus Award, and winners of the gas works circus showdown 2014, the Trash Test Dummies is a family friendly, circus comedy show like no other.
With rave reviews and sell out shows, this award winning, side-splitting slapstick comedy routine takes the household wheelie bin to new heights, and delivers a dump truck full of hilarity!
For audiences of all ages be prepared for a great time.
Runner-up: Primary Times Children’s Choice Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2016 Winner: Best Children’s Presentation Weekly Award, Adelaide Fringe 2016
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHWaN-S7Beg
Twitter: @TrashDummies
Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams – Underbelly and Bibi & Bichu (Ethiopia)
An unashamedly joyful mix of astonishing stunts, astounding circus skills and enchanted adventure, Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams follows the magical journey of two little Ethiopian brothers whose dream of joining the circus is made real by the Man in the Moon. Plunged into a world of daredevil wonders, they encounter a host of other circus dreamers: dancing, contorting, gravity- defying figures, all weaving tales of their own.
Featuring the inimitable Konjowoch Troupe, this is a surreal retelling of how the cast dreamed of the circus in a country without one and created a phenomenal new Ethiopian tradition. www.bibiandbichu.com/circus-abyssinia
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/213516312
Twitter: @BibiandBichu
KIN - Barely Methodical Troupe in association with Underbelly (UK).
The boys from the smash hit Bromance are back with KIN, a high octane, hilarious five- star show about camaraderie featuring Barely Methodical Troupe’s trademark mix of breathtaking acrobatics, contemporary dance and theatrics. KIN plays with group dynamics - tumbling, flying and catching become challenges and opportunities for individual bids of recognition as the 6 acrobats compete for attention and approval. The UK's hottest circus company BMT's highly entertaining shows mix the show-stopping acrobatics of circus with the emotional punch of theatre.
“A beautiful, sad, funny complicated thing… blossoms into something visually arresting and emotionally vast” (The Stage *****)
“Hilarious” (The Guardian)
“Breathtaking” (Evening Standard)
Twitter: @BMTroupe, #KIN
Circa: Humans – Presented by Underbelly (Australia).
The new, thrilling, and heart-stopping performance from the internationally acclaimed Circa (Closer, Beyond, Wunderkammer), Humans is an ecstatic love letter to our endangered species. Created by Yaron Lifschitz and fresh from a storming season at Sydney Festival, ten acrobats go faster, harder and higher than ever before, taking us on a stirring journey of what it means to be human and of how our bodies, our connections and our aspirations all form part of who we are.
Circa.org.au
"The rock stars of the circus world” (The List)
“The five-star favourite... a clear demonstration of the artistry of circus” (The Guardian)
Twitter: @CircaPresents, #CircaCircus
Acéléré by Circolombia - Presented by Underbelly (Columbia)
Circolombia took London’s Roundhouse by storm with their explosive debut show, Urban and then Acéléré. Circolombia is no ordinary circus. The sheer power of the 13 performers, coupled with mind-boggling skill and a willingness to take terrifying risks on stage delivers world-class, gravity defying performances you’ll never forget. Celebrating Colombia’s diversity, voices, dance and spectacular circus LIVE.
Don’t miss out. Guts, Grace and Gusto, direct from Bogota.
“An adrenalin-fuelled mix of strength, skill and daring, a great night out” TimeOut ****
“These audacious artistes both blow the mind and stir the heart” Sunday Express ****
“A sexy tangle of muscular limbs” Evening Standard ****
Here’s Acéléré at The Roundhouse in 2015 as a taste of things to come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20dD_-3Oj44
The Beauty (500 seats)
The Tales of Peter Rabbit & Jemima Puddle-Duck - Jimmy Jewell, in association with Children’s Classic Concerts (UK) Fringe Premiere
This August, children will be enthralled by The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle- Duck, performed by award-winning soprano and actress Michelle Todd and the Children’s Classic Concerts Festival Ensemble. Escape to Beatrix Potter’s wonderful world and enjoy her timeless tales of our favourite characters, Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Stephen McNeff’s musical settings of The Tales of Beatrix Potter have enchanted children and adult audiences in the UK, America and Canada. With brand new orchestrations, Jimmy Jewell and Children’s Classic Concerts bring this enduring classic to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“Perfect for Kids... it has a great charm and a tour de force narration” (The Guardian)
“A remarkable tribute to one of the world’s most popular storytellers” (Gramaphone)
Twitter: @jimmy_jewell, #BeatrixPotter, @CCC_LoveMusic
Arr We There Yet? – Head First Acrobats (Australia)
A rip-roaring and swashbuckling adventure in which three sailors hit the high seas in search of treasure! A scallywag pirate, a muscular sailor and a chef with a seafood allergy make for a hopeless crew, as they fight for the title of Captain aboard the ship. These acrobatic pirates turn ship- life upside down! Walking the plank becomes the high- flying teeterboard, cooking for the crew involves juggling knives and steering the ship spinning upside down in the roue cyr! www.headfirstacrobats.com/arrr-we-there-yet
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8HlGUhmRtM
Twitter: @HFAcrobats
All the Fun - Cie Ea Eo in association with Aurora Nova (Belgium) UK Premiere
A hypnotic, tongue-in-cheek antidote to the glittering circus world. 'All the Fun' invites you beyond the everyday 1, 2, 3 of juggling into an ever-changing space, with the performers balancing objects and throwing bodies, rendering failure just as visible as sweat. The natural movement of these five artists is part playful game and part sabotage.
Hailing from Belgium, Compagnie Ea Eo use the basic tools of the trade - balls and clubs - to deconstruct the rules of juggling and play with the audience's expectations. Set to a riotous original soundtrack, this is circus without the smoke and mirrors. UK premiere! www.cieeaeo.com
“Mesmerising” DE MORGEN****
“A powerful and original juggling ritual” CIRCUSCENTRUM
“Radically new” TÉLÉRAMA
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTkphJ9OKaA
Courtney Act: The Girl from Oz – Working Management (Australia)
Australian drag superstar Courtney Act (RuPaul's Drag Race) (Australian Idol) takes you over the rainbow and down under in her new show. Chock full of hits and high notes, you will leave this show realizing there's no place like home!? courtneyact.com
“Coy, funny, sexy, classy, and thoroughly upbeat... Courtney is something fresh and inspiring” (Manhattan Digest)
“Easily cements Courtney Act as one of drag's most talented musical offerings” (Renowned for Sound)
Trailer: https://youtu.be/_GT-KzOWKqk
Twitter: @courtneyact
Where Are We Now? - Camille O’Sullivan (Ireland). Bound & Gagged Comedy in association with Tim Whitehead.
Queen of the Fringe' (BBC) sings the beautiful songs of Bowie and Cohen alongside PJ Harvey, Nick Cave; questioning our crazily changing world. Sexy, fierce, mesmerizing - transforms each song into an intense, emotional experience. Book early! www.boundandgaggedcomedy.com
“Masterclass in living a lyric” SUNDAY MAIL*****
“Major star” SCOTSMAN*****
Twitter: @camilleos
Elixir – Underbelly and Head First Acrobats (Australia)
Winner – First and Foremost Entertainment Award Brighton Fringe 2015. Elixir is circus with a difference! Uninhibited by cliché or expectation, subversive and hilarious, the story follows three enthusiastic and acrobatic scientists who attempt to create the elixir of life. The mayhem that follows is a beautiful mix of incredible acrobatics and impeccable comic timing. www.headfirstacrobats.com
**** (EdFest.com).
**** (TheReviewsHub.com).
***** (TheBuzzFromSydney.com).
***** (RipItUp.com.au).
“High powered acrobatics, a brilliant stumble of slapstick and a shimmy of burlesque” (The Herald).
'Raucous, late night circus with mesmerising skill' (TheReviewsHub.com).
'An overwhelmingly fun atmosphere' (Edfest.com).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=46&v=H0prI4GqZSQ
Twitter: @HFAcrobats