A Norwich based circus company were the star attraction in the London launch of a year-long celebration of circus in the UK. Lost in Translation, based at The Oak Circus Centre in Norwich City Centre, gave a dazzling display of acrobatics on London’s Southbank with the Houses of Parliament as their backdrop.
Dea Birkett, Director of Circus250 said ‘Parliament is often described as a circus, but MPs antics were outshone in this astounding acrobatic act by internationally renowned circus company Lost in Translation’.
The event was to announce CIrcus250 – a year-long nationwide festival marking the 2018 250th anniversary of circus. All over the UK and Ireland contemporary and traditional circuses, museums, festivals, churches, theatres and archives will be celebrating the anniversary with performance, exhibitions, concerts and events.
The event was held at the very spot where, in 1768, retired cavalryman, showman and entrepreneur Philip Astley drew out a ring and filled it with astonishing acts. Every circus, everywhere in the world, began at that moment.
The new logo – Eduardo Ricciardelli, Natasha Rushbrooke, Roisin Morris
Lost in Translation also revealed for the very first time, the Circus250 logo, designed by legendary artist Sir Peter Blake (designer of the Beatles Sgt Pepper record cover). The logo is a stunning work of art showing a historic female aerialist supporting a contemporary circus performer.
Dea Birkett added ‘Lost in Translation have a history of brilliant shows and imagery, and as a leading partner in Circus250 in Norfolk, were the natural choice to star in the national launch pictures.’
Massimiliano Rosetti of Lost in Translation said ‘We’re really looking to putting Norwich and Norfolk firmly on the circus map next year with some stunning events’. His co-Director Annabel Carberry added ‘We can hardly wait to announce the programme for Norwich in October, we’re just putting the finishing touches to our plans.’
Lost in Translation are continuing Norwich and Norfolk’s long tradition of innovation in circus. Pablo Fanque, born in the city in 1810, was the first non-white circus owner in Britain and his circus reigned as the most popular in Victorian Britain for 30 years. He is mentioned in The Beatles song For The Benefit of Mr Kite from the Sergeant Pepper LP, also strengthening the Sir Peter Blake connection. In the 19th and early 20th centuries the city also had a wealth of venues for circus and was one of the most popular destinations in the UK for travelling circus companies.
Circus250 is co-ordinating the year long nationwide celebrations. The full programme will be announced in October. Dea summed up ‘There will be 365 days of astounding acts the like of which you have never seen before. The greatest show the UK has ever seen is about to begin’.
In August Lost in Translation are off to the Edinburgh Fringe to partner Sweden’s Tiger Circus to present their show Attached at Underbelly’s spectacular Udderbelly venue – a giant purple upside down cow that holds over 700 people!
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