CircusFest2014, Roundhouse

CircusFest is back and promises to be bigger and bolder than ever.

This five-week-long festival, taking place across three spaces at the Roundhouse, presents performers from all over the world. It’s being staged alongside a Take Part Weekend with workshops in aerial skills, acrobatics and hula hooping allowing everyone the opportunity to run away with the circus. 

All of the shows at CircusFest look pretty incredible (and packed to the rafters with feats that we wouldn’t suggest trying at home), but we have put together our top five picks:

La Meute (March 26-April 5) 
CircusFest opens with this ‘madcap’ group of French acrobats in their UK debut. This show is particularly worth seeing for the rare chance to witness performers of the art of Russian Swing (if you want a sneak peek, you can see a video clip on the Roundhouse website). With this combination of astonishing stunts and a good smattering of characteristic French humour, La Meute will ensure that CircusFest 2014 starts with a bang. 

Puffball  (April 22-27)
If what you want at CircusFest is physical storytelling at its best, look no further then Puffball.  Devised and performed by a company of performers all of whom identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning), the show is based on their personal stories told through the medium of circus performances and a live score. This looks to be one of the most moving and ultimately truthful productions at this year’s festival. 

Luminescence (March 26-April 27) 
Commissioned especially for CircusFest 2014, this show promises to be a real visual spectacle as circus artists deploy not just their bodies but streams of artificial light as well. A site specific installation in the new pop-up tent venue, this is an experimental treat that offers a whole new take on circus.

Belonging (April 15-19) 
This is an aerial production created by Graeae, a company who specialise in placing disabled artists at the heart of their shows. Showcasing trapeze, silks and hoops, the show features a number of performers who featured in the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony; a beautiful show about what connects and divides people.  

Palava (April 24-26) 
This is one of the more bonkers evenings in CircusFest (and that is really saying something).  This queer variety show includes treats such as the ‘first lady of alternative drag’ Jonny Woo and Baghdad’s Got Talent. What more need we say?