Circus High Jinks at Elizabeth Fort

March 16th

Circus High Jinks at Elizabeth Fort

 - Update: Unfortunately from 1pm today this event has been cancelled due to rain - 

 

Join the Circus Factory for an afternoon programme of Circus High Jinks in the beautiful and historical surroundings of Elizabeth Fort, off Barrack Street.

Expect towering aerial acrobatics, fire juggling on a tightwire, and exquisite hand balancing displays. And a chance to try some circus (no, not the fire!) during our Circus Disco, where we stick on some choons and let ye go wild with hula hoops and soft juggling balls.

No messin’ with the equipment now, cause Nancy will be there too, a no frills spit and polish kind of lady. In her own words: “Get yer heads out of them Blasted phones and talk to me”

 

See dropdown menu below for full show & artist descriptions

 

Show 1: 12pm - 12.50pm

Lidija Sola: Aerial Trapeze

Louis Plissonneau: Hand Balancing

The Wobbly Circus Show

 

Show 2: 1pm - 2.15pm

Captain C-Man: Host

Kate Mitchell: Hula Hoop

Youth Ensemble

Haj & Anna: Duo Acrobatics

Youth Ensemble

Giulia Pasquale: Aerial Rope

CIRCUS DISCO facilitated by Youth Ensemble

 

Show 3: 2.30pm - 3.15pm

Anna Jones: Aerial Silks

Captain C-Man: Ready Steady Hup

CIRCUS DISCO

 

Show 4: 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Lidija Sola: Aerial Trapeze

Louis Plissonneau: Hand Balancing

The Wobbly Circus Show

 

Saturday March 16, 1-5pm

Free

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie

Booking strongly encouraged although walk-ups facilitated where space allows.

 

Please Note:

  • This event is outdoors so please dress accordingly.
  • Timings are subject to change, largely depending on weather.
  • Refreshments are not available in the venue but you are welcome to bring snacks and/or camping chairs for your comfort

 

Presented by Circus Factory and Cork St Patrick’s Festival, supported by Cork City Council and Failte Ireland.

 

Show / Performance Descriptions and Artist biographies

The Wobbly Circus Show

The Wobbly Circus Show is a unique circus show that will delight audiences of all ages. The show combines slapstick comedy and clowning with a high level of circus skills. Prepare for the unexpected and prepare to be involved! Juggling with basketballs! Mime, object manipulation, plenty of audience participation and a fire juggling finale on a tight wire!

 

Youth Ensemble

Did you know that Circus Factory has an extensive youth circus program? Well in 2023 we formed our first Youth Ensemble who had their first production at Circus Factory last December. Today they are here with 3 of their coaches, who will show their talents for the world to see.

Youth coaches

Kate Mitchell: Hula Hoop

Haj Murphy: Partner Acrobatics with Anna Jones

Giulia Pasquale: Corde Lisse

 

Captain C-Man

Ready, Steady, Hup, it’s time for some circus fun with the living legend Cormac a.k.a Captain C-Man. A ‘street performance world champion “and a master at showing off. For as long as he can remember he’s been flaunting his skills to anyone and everyone. A juggling aficionado, a lover of all things Circus, and an all-round good guy, Captain Cormac is on a mission from the Circus Gods; to share with the world his amazing tricks, and his out and out passion for Circus, whether the world wants it or not. All you need to do is clap, cheer, and if you’re lucky, help him achieve the greatest and most dangerous juggling trick in the universe.

 

CIRCUS DISCO

We bring Juggling Balls, Clubs, Diablos, Flowerstick, Hula Hoops, and maybe a Unicycle or two. We put on some music and encourage a fun “try it out” atmosphere. Nobody is too old or too young to try, and the way you use the equipment is the correct way to use it.

 

Guest Artists

Lidija Sola: Aerial Trapeze

Lidija Sola a Cork based Croatian contemporary circus artist and cofounder of Tricycle Trauma, an experimental circus collective. She’s been a part of the independent art scene for over a decade as a performer, author, director and Producer.

 

Louis Plissonneau: Hand Balancing

Louis Plissonneau has held a lifelong fascination with circus, but his own journey with circus only began in my mid-30s. His background as a competitive athlete in water-polo, triathlon, and climbing, coupled with being a dedicated yoga practitioner for decades, has instilled in me a deep understanding of physicality and discipline. It was upon moving to Ireland a decade ago that he connected with the circus community. He started focusing on aerial arts (particularly corde lisse) for a couple of years and He has shifted his focus to hand balancing for the past 8 years.

 

Kate Mitchell: Hula Hoops

Kate first ran away with the circus in 2013 and has traveled the world far and wide working with some of the greats that have continually inspired her Circus Journey. Today she is inspiring the next generation at Circus Factory. She is a highly skilled and multifaceted circus artist, whose work engages and inspires audiences across the world. She specializes in fire performance, hula hoop, aerial sling and silks. Her Hula Hoop piece is “about independence and owning your own power.”

 

Anna Jones: Partner Acrobatics & Aerial Silks

Anna Jones is a tour guide on Spike Island and found a supportive community in Circus Factory. She also partook in our 3 month circus introduction course in 2022. She has continued to promote the rewarding art of Circus when she ran for Cork Rose in 2023 wearing the Circus Factory sash! It was a Rose First when she performed with her acro-partner Haj, and left the room astonished by their skills. Here she will perform one of her beautiful aerial acts.