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Con Horgan of the Fanzini Brothers in the parade at last year’s festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE madness of Halloween may be over for another year, but there will be plenty painted faces around Tralee in less than two weeks time when the National Circus Festival of Ireland comes to town.
The 15th annual festival will get underway in Tralee from Thursday, November 10 to Sunday, November 13.
At the heart of the festival is Circus Siamsa, a cutting edge contemporary circus show, held at 2pm and 5.30pm on Saturday, November 12 in Siamsa Tíre Theatre where top acts from the UK, Italy, America, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel and France will enthral audiences of all ages.
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The Artistic Director of the National Circus Festival of Ireland, Con Horgan, said: “When you hear that the Ballygofeck disobedient clown marching band are heading to Tralee or that one of the entertainment stages has Renegade in the title, you’d be right to conclude that an exciting weekend is in store. The National Circus Festival of Ireland is the ultimate contemporary circus event in the country bringing together a host of established and up-coming talent to Tralee. It’s hard to believe that we are celebrating 15 years in 2016 and we intend to make this year’s festival the launch-pad for the next 15 years.”
Top international contemporary company Silver Lining present the Irish premiere of Throwback, a fast-paced, feel-good explosion of physical skill and fun at Siamsa Tíre Theatre on Friday, November 11.
Moyderwell Hall, KDYS Hall and Tralee Gymnastics Hall will play host to a four-day circus convention where participants will enjoy a full circus, acrobatics and aerial master class programme.
On Friday, November 11 the Grand Hotel Denny St. will play host to Circus Sideshow, a bespoke festival club full of pop-up performances and amazing music from gyp-hop originators The Latchikos.
Circus Sideshow also features 5 x 5, a new initiative supporting upcoming Irish circus. Saturday night is the Renegade Stage; a totally unique evening of absolutely no-holds-barred-anything-goes circus, the open mic of circus.
Children will get an opportunity to run away with the circus, for at least one day, at the Children’s Circus Workshops in The Grand Hotel on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November, 11am and 12 noon both days.
There’s plenty of free outdoor entertainment during the weekend with a parade through the streets of Tralee and a performance from Kamchatka – one of the most innovative companies on the European outdoor arts scene – both on Sunday 13th November at 3pm and 4pm respectively.
Don’t miss the “pop-up rave” with Street Performance World Champions Lords of Strut, Saturday night, Denny St. 9:30pm and walkabouts from the Kamikaze Clowns, Charlie Chaplin and Ballygofeck Clown Marching Band throughout the weekend.
“Top class performers, a completely unique festival for Ireland, workshops for young and old and a full programme of never-seen-before, eye-popping entertainment will provide the ingredients for a quality weekend in Tralee,” said Con Horgan.
The National Circus Festival of Ireland is supported by the Arts Council and sponsored by Siamsa Tíre Theatre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Kerry County Council, Tralee Chamber Alliance, Fáilte Ireland and Irish Organisation, Market and Street Traders (IOMST).
Full details of the performers, workshops, parade, children’s shows, ISACS seminar and accommodation are available from http://www.circusfestival.ie/
