The circus celebrates its 250th birthday
THE Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) are hosting what promises to be a fascinating panel discussion in Wexford Arts Centre on Sunday, November 4, looking at the extraordinary journey of the art form of the circus which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
The birth of the modern circus can be traced back to 1768 and one Philip Astley who began his career as an entertainment impresario and entrepreneur when he drew out the first circus ring in the centre of London and filled it with an array of equestrian skills and performances.
Astley brought his circus to Ireland in 1773, the first place it travelled to outside of London. The circus pre-dates the Arts Centre which was built in 1776.
The speakers come from a diverse range of interests and represent varied approaches to integrating other art forms into the circus model today. From opera to digital arts, traditional to futuristic, the art form is constantly shifting, changing and re-imagining, taking its audiences on new adventures and pushing the boundaries of risk and human endeavour.
Joining ISACS CEO Lucy Medlycott for a lively conversation will be Dea Birkett – Ringmistress of the Circus 250 celebrations in the Republic of Ireland and the UK, Ria Murphy, Aerial Artist, Wall runner and digital media collaborator of Aerial Cirque; Ronan Brady, cross artform circus performer with Fidget Feet, This is Pop Baby and Taking Flight; Tara Gerbola, proprietor of traditional family circus, Circus Gerbola and Charlotte Mooney, contemporary circus artist and opera collaborator with Ockhams Razor, UK.
The panel discussion will take place from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and will be followed by the official launch by County Arts Officer Liz Burns of the Irish Street Art, Circus and Spectacle Network’s Strategic Plan for 2019 - 2021. All are welcome to attend.
The event is supported by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council while the ISACS Network is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. ISACS which is based in Wexford town with over 100 member groups around Ireland, aims to support, develop and advocate for these collective art forms.