Summer of Circus: One of the largest contemporary circus festivals cartwheels into Worthing: with acts ranging from trampoline to cabaret, acrobats to comedy, live music to trapeze

Now recognised as one of the three largest contemporary circus festival in the UK, Worthing Theatres’ program promises thrills for the whole family through myriad live performances and workshops from June 16 to August 27.

Launching the season will be one of the newest and most dynamic circus ensembles in the UK, Barely Methodical Troupe, with their latest production Kin (16-17 June).

After opening the previous Summer of Circus season, Acrojou will be returning to Worthing staging two free performances of The Wheel House at Steyne Gardens (17 June) and Broadwater Green (22 July). They will also be teaching the art of the German Wheel in their workshop at the Assembly Hall (August 6).

Trampoline artist Max Calaf Sevé brings his charming tale Anyday to the Pavilion Theatre (1 July), opening a window to the intimate world he shares with his bird on his trampoline, pulling off acrobatic skills to an original score. There will also be trampoline workshops for children (30 June) and adults (1 July).

Dizzy O’ Dare displays her skills on the high-wire in the world premiere of her show Rise (18 July), fixing helium balloons to her hair as she wanders into the twilight world of showbusiness mixing song, circus and cabaret with a delightful blend of comedy and live music. There will also be a workshop on the day of the performance for people to test and improve their skills on the tightrope.

Three glorious months of sweat-packed, muscle bound athleticism

Head First Acrobats bring their internationally acclaimed circus show Elixir (21 July) to the Pavilion Theatre, three handsome scientists attempt to create the elixir of life through acrobatics involving a teeterboard, roue cyr wheel, handbalancing and trapeze. They are also inviting people to develop their own acro-balancing skills in a workshop (July 20).

After wowing Worthing audiences in last year’s festival, Ockham’s Razor return with their new show Tipping Point (28-29 July), winner of the Total Theatre Award and Jacksons Lane Circus Award at the Edinburgh Festival 2016.

Travelling from Amsterdam, circus company Le Cirque Du Platzak bring Kermiz to the Pavilion Theatre (5 August), a circus adventure themed around the dark side of a Grimm fairy tale, with rousing folk music throughout.

Award-winning Metta Theatre close the season with their critically acclaimed family production of Jungle Book (26-27 August): an urban retelling of Rudyard Kipling’s original story featuring jaw-dropping tricks from a cast of international performers. Nathalie Alison will also be teaching the basics of aerial hoop in their special workshops for everyone aged 8+ (25-26 August).

Summer of Circus has been supported by funding from the Arts Council’s Coasters Initiative, which facilitates and celebrates circus and street arts in coastal towns across the country.

Head of Culture, Adur and Worthing Councils, Amanda O’ Reilly, says:
“We are thrilled to be launching our second Summer of Circus, three glorious months of the hottest wheeling and spinning, sweat-packed, muscle bound athleticism you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing, amalgamating the best international circus companies right here in Worthing.”

For booking enquires and more information on Summer of Circus, visit worthingtheatres.co.uk or call the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206.

Contemporary circus: Embracing tradition, evolving expectation
Some thoughts from Stephen Sheldrake, Marketing Officer at Worthing Theatres
Circus isn’t just about elephants and clowns anymore. When we hosted our first Summer of Circus festival in Worthing last year, I admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had the same misconception that many others do when they think of circus, thinking it was only about the more traditional elements such as the animals and top hats, and I was pleased to experience so much more than I had anticipated.

Contemporary circus is a beautiful genre, physical theatre meets dance in a most challenging, daring and spectacular form. Every show gives you something different. Just some of the elements you can expect to see throughout include fast-paced juggling, incredible acrobatics, slick silks, high wires, Chinese poles, breath-taking balance acts and so much more. Last year we had a production where everything on stage was flown, and I mean everything, from the entire band to the drum kit soaring above the audience’s heads, who were left sitting in awe with their jaws dropped. It was a real sight to see!