Contemporary circus company Circa is set to provide a new opportunity to young aspiring performers later this year, inviting a select group to perform in their upcoming Melbourne presentation of Carnival of the Animals. Performing from 16 September 2023 until 23 September 2023 at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse, this reimagined version of Circa’s original production is inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ charming homage to feathers, fur, and fins.
Selected participants from Melbourne will be given the chance to rehearse with and join Circa‘s professional acrobats for certain performances. This endeavour to include and engage youth in their productions represents a new direction by Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz, continuing its debut at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) previously.
Mid-2023 will see a rehearsal period intended to identify a group of promising young stars. These individuals will receive training to join the Circa team, tumbling, leaping, and spinning their way through the enchanting realms of the animal kingdom.
Lifschitz expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, sharing:
We were interested in not only making a show for young people but also with young people. There are incredible possibilities that arise when adding a new younger generation of circus artists to the world of Carnival of the Animals – the energy that is unleashed when the Circa ensemble works with these young performers is something to behold. They have a kind of freshness and an excitement that’s really terrific and I think energises the whole company.
We’re thrilled to return to Melbourne. Arts Centre Melbourne has always been a great home for Circa and we feel that this show will really resonate with Melbourne audiences and families. We’re looking forward to bringing a new generation of circus artists in to the Circa fold as we integrate young artists into this performance working alongside the Circa ensemble,
We’ve had brilliant feedback on this special version of Carnival of the Animals. Younger audiences love to watch someone their own age on stage. There is general sense of excitement, fun, adventure, and then when those kids grow up, I hope they bring their children to the show.
Based in Brisbane since opening its doors in 2004, Circa is a performing arts success story not only across the country, but globally. With performances in 39 countries and an audience of over a million people, Circa‘s productions have been met with standing ovations and sold-out houses across six continents.
The Carnival of the Animals production will be a part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round Families and Children Program. Launched in August 2009, the program has featured a large range of intimate and large-scale theatre productions from some of the world’s most respected companies, alongside a diverse range of interactive workshops.
Tickets to see Carnival of the Animals can now be purchased via the Arts Centre Melbourne website, with price points ranging from $25.00 – $38.00 per person
