NATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL 2022

THE NATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL RELEASES ITS 2022 PROGRAM

The National Circus Festival today reveals its complete program for its 2022 festival, to be held from 26 September – 2 October at the Mullumbimby Showground, with the program bolstered by the inclusion of Australia’s most acclaimed circus company, Gravity & Other Myths.

It’s been a long 12 months for the Northern Rivers and National Circus Festival. The 2021 festival was cancelled due to COVID and then the company and its festival site in Mullumbimby was ravaged by the Northern NSW floods in February 2022. Today’s announcement sounds the triumphant 2022 return of the festival in magnificent style.

Leading the artist announcement today is one of Australia’s premiere acrobatic companies, Gravity & Other Myths who will presents their staple production ‘A Simple Space.’  Gravity & Other Myths is an acrobatics and physical theatre company that know few boundaries and their show ‘A Simple Space’, has achieved momentous international success, having performed more than 850 times across 34 countries and receiving multiple awards, most notably the IPAY Victor Award for People’s Choice.

‘Werk It’ from Victoria’s Circus Trick Tease, is the celebration of spandex, high-vis, vitality and vigour! A riot of colour and movement – big tricks delivered by an all-star cast with more sass and swagger than a TLC video clip.  The Brunswick Picture House will present ‘Cheeky Cabaret’, a two-hour adult show, casting some of the best talent on offer, smashing together circus, vaudeville, comedy, new burlesque and everything in between.

Further adding to the celebration will be a healthy contingent of internationally acclaimed artists, including international juggling sensation, Joe Fisher, the rivalled trio of Debra Batton, Sharon Gruenert and Spenser Inwood, who redefine their own form of circus in A Good Catch, and the internationally renowned natural exhibitionist The Space Cowboy with his unnatural ability to shock audiences with his innovative sword swallowing.

The festival will also host some of Byron Shire’s brightest stars from the world-famous bubble man, circus and sideshow artist, Dr Hubble, Spaghetti graduate success story Hannah Richards, and Spaghetti Circus Performance Troupeshow ‘Bails of Hey!’ 

Adding to the festival weekend will be a collection of onsite activations and marvels to keep the imagination bounding along, joining the already announced arrival of The Famous Spiegeltent for the first time in the region is the high adrenaline The Wheel of Death from Warren Brophy. Warren will take on the 500kg steel pendulum that reaches a height of 12 metres, performing acrobatics, skipping and even walking blindfolded all while maintaining his balance atop the rotating cage, without the aid of safety nets or wires,

The Globe is a fully interactive, colourful 25 meters retired hot air balloon. A sensory delight and experimental play space, that can be enjoyed from afar as the space inflates and embraced from within the colourful kaleidoscope of light. A delight for kids of all ages.

Further, the National Circus Festival has teamed up again with the Mullum Music Festival to deliver a collection of astounding local and national talent, including a Yidinji / Bar-Barrum man from far North Queensland, The Boy of Many Colours, who combines the sounds of the distant past and the modern age A multi-disciplinary artist, producing, writing, editing all his work; he is a talent not to be slept on.

Another highlight is the duo of Jamie MacDowell & Tom Thum, who need no introduction. One is good with his fingers; the other is good with his mouth.  Beatbox sensation, Tom Thum and bohemian singer-songwriter Jamie MacDowell combine to create original, genre-defying music that is ‘redefining musical parameters’.

National Circus Festival Director Alice Cadwell said she was excited to release the 2022 festival program and can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the festival this year.

“After the past 12 months it’s great to come back in such a strong fashion with an amazing program,” Alice said.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this year’s National Circus Festival. It will be a chance for the whole community to come together, enjoy world-class shows featuring amazing artists, wonder at the 25-metre inflatable globe, join a workshop, and watch out for The Wheel of Death.”

“We have the Outdoor Cinema, music acts in collaboration with Mullum Music Festival and The Famous Spiegeltent! It will be fun for the whole family, unexpected delights, great food and coffee, and so much more.”

To be held at the Mullumbimby Showground from 26 September – 2 October, the National Circus Festival hosts a dual program with two distinct streams, including a four-day National Training Program from 20 – 23 September, assembling the nation’s best performers in one location to collaborate, trial new shows, develop existing works and skill share.

Following the training program, the weekend of 30 September – 2 October will see the festival go into full swing, with a program of more than 220 performers at five venues including two Big Tops and The Famous Spiegeltent.

2022 NATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL

National Training Program
Monday 26 – Thursday 29 September

Festival Weekend
Friday 30 September – Sunday 2 October

Mullumbimby Showground, NSW

For further information and tickets: www.nationalcircusfestival.com

NATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL

National Circus Festival is a celebration of circus for everyone.

SEE internationally acclaimed acts by Australia’s leading artists at one of our two big tops, the Famous Spiegeltent, aerial rigs, studios or under the fig trees. Wander through a 25-metre inflatable globe, meet roving performers en route to our family play space or lounge at the outdoor cinema.

HEAR the raucous applause of festivalgoers being blown away by impossible, daring feats. Share in the sheer delight and childish squeals of families enjoying physical theatre, street art and interactive play spaces.

FEEL the fear, excitement and anticipation as artists undertake death-defying stunts, swing from the trapeze at great heights, juggle danger and perform awe-inspiring acrobatics.

TASTE delicious meals as our food stalls take your tongue for a culinary adventure across the globe. Then take a stroll down Sweet Street for fairy floss, ice cream, crepes, popcorn and other saccharine delights.

BREATHE pristine air in paradise at the base of Mount Chincogan in the Byron hinterland. Truly one of the nature’s spectacles, Mullumbimby is a stunning place to host this magic event and come home to.

STAY for a day, the weekend or camp for the whole festival, you’ll find plenty to please the senses. And if it all gets too much, unplug, reconnect and wet your whistle at our festival bar The Plover and Pony.

National Circus Festival acknowledge the people of the Bundjalung Nation, traditional custodians of the land on which we live, love, work & play.

National Circus Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.