Circusstad Festival – Seven days of circus theatre in the heart of Rotterdam
After a successful launch in 2010, the Circusstad Festival is coming to town again! This May, during the school holidays, circus acts will be strutting their stuff on the Schouwburgplein and in Rotterdam theatres. Top international artistes from around the world, including Australia, Colombia, Finland and France will be performing again this year, alongside young talent. Circusstad Festival is all about circus theatre – circus for the 21st century – an effortless fusion of dance, acrobatics, juggling, theatre and music. The result is spectacular, with magical performances for young and old. Although over-enthusiastic audiences are often told: ‘Please don’t try this at home’.
From 2 May, the Schouwburgplein will be home to an array of circus tents for seven days. And circus acts will also thrill audiences in the Rotterdamse Schouwburg and Luxor Theater. As well as featuring top international contemporary circus artistes, young talent will also be in the spotlight. The festival features students from the Circus Arts faculty of Codarts, the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, artistes from Circus Rotjeknor and aspiring circus talent involved in circus activities throughout the city of Rotterdam. So roll up, roll up! And if you’ve always dreamed of walking the hire wire or clowning around, come and hone your skills at one of the many workshops or the Circus Studio.
A taste of the programme
The programme is still at the planning stage, but so far the organisers are delighted to confirm a galaxy of big international names. Circusstad is thrilled that Race Horse Company will be appearing. These three young performers from Finland are conquering Europe with their explosive show Petit Mal. Everywhere they go, audiences go wild for their energetic, innovative act. Their billing at Circusstad Festival coincides with their first appearance in the Netherlands. And there’s plenty of home-grown talent, too. Goos and Gabriël is a very special clown duo. Goos is Dutch and perfected his clowning skills in Montreal, where he lived and worked for many years. After a career with Cirque du Soleil, he teamed up with Argentinean performer Gabriël to create the incredible theatre and clown production Adios; a show that is poignant, moving, and still gets audiences laughing.
Can’t wait for more? Visit the Circusstad Festival website for updates!
Circusstad Festival was conceived by Rotterdam Circusstad, the collaborative venture of organisations that have teamed up to make Rotterdam Holland’s premier circus city. Together, they organise circus activities for children and young people in community centres, schools, courses for all skill levels and magical, enthralling performances for young and old. Each of the partners offers circus and theatre skills based on their own unique discipline: Rotterdam Circus Arts van Codarts Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Luxor Theater, Circus Rotjeknor, Ontwikkelbank Centrum, and Gemeente Rotterdam.
