AN ART FORM IN MOTION
CURATED BY
ANDREW BLEBY
Since the early 1900s, when what
is now the site of Arts Centre
Melbourne was home to the Wirth
Brothers’ Circus, Melburnians have
had a special place in their heart
for this maverick art form.
Melbourne is now home to over 20
circus companies, including the
national treasure that is Circus Oz,
and the National Institute of Circus
Arts (NICA). But who would have
thought that the knock-’em-down
thrills of the sawdust ring would
find their way to centrestage in
an international arts festival? The
extreme physical disciplines of the
circus arts are rapidly evolving into
new and exciting forms, melded
with progressive choreography,
classical music, comedy and
contemporary design and visual
effects.
Join us as we put the spotlight on
a new world of global circus from
Europe, North America, Asia and
Australia and see what the future
might reveal. Not a lion-tamer in
sight.
melbournefestival.com.au
19