Circus / circus city
Free performances from Ockham’s Razor will celebrate Circus City 2023 programme launch
Home to the highest concentration of circus performers in the country, along with world-class circus school Circomedia, multiple training centres and the creation space Unit 15, Bristol is recognised as the ‘City of Circus’.
Taking place over three weeks in October, Bristol Circus City Festival is a major biannual event celebrating contemporary circus in the UK.
Bringing together the artform’s community of artists and producers and inspiring collaboration and creativity, the programme also encompasses networking opportunities, employment, and a responsive industry programme.
is needed now More than ever
Hive City, Bristol Circus City – photo Jonathan Rowley
The 2023 iteration – and the fifth edition – of Circus City will run from October 1-22 in pop up venues and outdoor spaces across the city, featuring over 60 performances from artists in around 30 companies at local, national and international level.
The festival works to develop new audiences for circus, and to raise the profile of the artform around the UK and beyond. With an emphasis on new work by diverse voices, the event promises a strong representation of Global majority, Disabled and LGBTQIA+-led work.
Ockham’s Razor, PUBLIC – photo: Mark Dawson
To celebrate the launch of the programme – which will go live on July 28 – the acclaimed circus company Ockham’s Razor (who met while studying at Circomedia) will be in Broadmead on July 29 to give two free performances of their show PUBLIC.
The site-responsive show will feature a graduate compay of 10 young acrobats, dancers, climbers and parkour artists, and will conclude with an invitation to a flashmob, to reflect one of its overarching themes: ‘reclaiming public space’.
“These performances of PUBLIC mark the return of this internationally renowned company to the city,” enthuses Nicole A’Court-Stuart, artistic director of Circus City.
“It’s a show that reimagines public space as a space for creativity, animating the landscape with acrobatics, dance & parkour. For me there could be no better way to start the lead up to this year’s Circus City Festival.”
Tipping Point, Circus City – photo Adam Gasson
PUBLIC by Ockham’s Razor will be at the Broadmead Shopping Centre Central Podium on July 29 at 12pm and 2pm (each performance is 35 minutes). The show is free and unticketed. Follow Ockham’s Razor on Insta @ockhamsrazoruk.
Circus City will be at venues across Bristol from October 1-22. The full programme will be going live at www.bristolcircuscity.com on July 28.
Main photo: Jonathan Rowley
Read more: The countdown to Circus City 2021
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