Tickets on sale for New Brisbane Festival

Kate, Booff, Dale & Deb. Photo by Embellysh

Tickets to Cluster Arts ‘s CIRCFest22 Meanjin are now on sale via circfestlive.com.

This new festival, based in Brisbane, is dedicated to showcasing the best of Australian contemporary circus and physical theatre. Through a partnership with international circus centre Tohu in Montreal, CIRCFest22 Meanjin establishes Brisbane’s reputation as a global leader and fosters exciting international touring opportunities.

Over 10 days from 21 April to 1 May, 2022 more than 114 performers will entertain audiences with 76 diverse performances across six venues in Brisbane including Brisbane Powerhouse, Metro Arts, The Tivoli, La Boite Theatre, The Ron Hurley Theatre, and Kingston Butter Factory.

The brainchild of Cluster Arts, CIRCFest22 Meanjin will showcase First Nations artists, independent companies, and Australian international stars of the circus world.

Directors Deb Wilks and Kate Malone who have programmed 14 Queensland premieres celebrating Brisbane’s history as a circus city said, “CIRCFest22 Meanjin brings together a bold and ambitious program that celebrates circus in all its richly diverse forms – there is something for everyone. Our focus has been on delivering a festival where the artists are at the heart of every decision and that makes for some spectacular outcomes.”

As well as a public program, CIRCFest 22 Meanjin will have key industry activations, hosting a number of forums & sector development opportunities including a First Nations led sector development for circus & physical theatre. This will be done in conjunction with The Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM). It is hoped in the future, as borders reopen for touring, international buyers and presenters will attend, along with Brisbane audiences being able to experience international circus companies’ performances.

Ruth Wikler Deputy Director of Programming, TOHU from Montreal said, “The proposed virtual exchange between Montreal's International Contemporary Circus Market (MICC) & Brisbane’s Cluster Arts will draw on the momentum built over the past two years. CIRCFest22 Meanjin’s international digital platform, followed by the MICC’s in-person market, provide an ideal opportunity for this & underpin a reciprocal touring arrangement between Canada & Australia -two global circus countries.”

Australia is recognised internationally as a leader in the artform and Brisbane is its hothouse, home to companies like Circa, Casus Circus, Briefs Factory, Hoopla Clique, ARC Circus and Chelsea McGuffin & Co who are in high demand on every international festival circuit.

CIRCFest22 Meanjin will see Brisbane come alive with death defying feats, breathtaking spectacles and something to entertain and engage everyone from the subversive and sexy for adults only to the fun and thrilling for the family.

Festival dates: Thursday 21st April – Sunday 1st May 2022

LOCATIONS: Brisbane Powerhouse, Ron Hurley Theatre, The Tivoli, La Boite Theatre, Kingston Butter Factory, Metro Arts

COMPANIES: ARC Circus ~ A Good Catch ~ Briefs Factory ~ Casus Circus ~ Charmaine Childs ~ Chelsea McGuffin & Co ~ Cluster Arts ~ Dale Woodbridge-Brown~ Dee Cornelius & Wilks ~ Finucane & Smith ~ Folly Games ~ Homunculus Theatre ~ Hoopla Clique ~ Melon the Human ~ Na Djinang ~ Salvador Dinosaur ~ We3.

BOOKINGS: https://circfest.live/ TICKETS: From $25