Five venues, three days, and shedloads of circus pitched, performed and percolated amongst those in a position to make things happen… The Canvas showcase of UK contemporary circus, held in London last month, was a big event in more ways than one, with over 65 companies presenting their projects and productions to a delegation of over 100 movers and […]
Mates blogger: Katharine Kavanagh
Katharine Kavanagh is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Katharine's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Katharine is a circus writer based in the Midlands, a handy travel hub for getting out and about to new and smaller-scale work. From a background as a performer, theatre-maker and circus volunteer, Katharine took part in the EU-funded 'Unpack the Arts' circus residency, set up The Circus Diaries website, and now dedicates herself to sharing the intricacies of circus art with the world.
She says: "Circus is an area of performing arts where few people have the vocabulary and understanding to write balanced critical appraisal. This tends to result in wishy-washy 'reviews' that all sound the same and say very little about the relative quality of the show.
"As the circus arts grow in popularity and engagement across the UK, it's important for critical voices to reflect this to increasingly discerning audiences. That's where I come in."
The latest from Katharine on MyTheatreMates
CIRQUE BERSERK – Birmingham Rep
Birmingham REP; 19th March 2015 With the shrill note of a traditional circus whistle, the piped nostalgia of calliope refrains that accompanies us while we take our seats is swiftly replaced by pounding beats of tribal dance music, and we’re launched into the thrilling fantasy of Cirque Berserk. This is not circus-theatre, or dance-circus, but […]
CIRCUS FANTASIA – Victoria Gardens, Tipton
Victoria Gardens, Tipton; 14th March 2015 The red and white tent of Circus Funtasia sits in a grassy hollow like a magic toadstool, and I pass under a string of electric light bulbs to see what waits inside. Smart navy and gold military uniforms and courteous Eastern European accents usher visitors to our red bucket seats, while […]
CIRKOPOLIS – Touring
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; 11th March 2015 The brightly ornate greens and golds of the Mayflower Theatre seem at odds with the ominous sounds playing behind its red velvet curtains. Organic drips and thunder turn to rolling objects, clicking machinery, engines and clanging metal, and finally a rhythmic pulsing and electronic buzz. The house lights begin to […]
CircusWorks Youth Circus Conference 2015
Cardiff, 6-8th March, 2015 Circus people are practical people. When I mention that I’m attending a ‘circus conference’, it lifts eyebrows, raises smiles, and boggles brains. But circus people are also passionate people, and that passion makes things happen. For three days, the converted church that is the home of NoFit State Circus in Cardiff […]