Starting August 17th and lasting until September 2nd, the city of Prague will be home to the International Festival of Contemporary Circus. Ladies and gents, this is not just any circus so don’t expect fearless lion tamers or beautiful women doing handstands on the backs of elephants. The world-renowned multinational companies performing in Prague belong to the Cirque Nouveau movement.
From the Belgium based La Compagnie du Poivre Rose, the audience can expect to see absurdist acrobatics, accompanied by a live music performance, all designed to poke fun at social prejudices, stereotypes, and taboos. Hailing from France, the Cirque Inextremiste will live up to its name and put on an extreme and darkly humorous show involving highly explosive propane tanks, a trampoline, and one very brave man. Also by way of France is the Cirque Trottola, which will be performing its new piece, Matamore, which it co-produced with Le Petit Théâtre Baraque. The piece uses familiar circus elements like jugglers, acrobats, and clowns, but puts a new thematic spin on them leaving the audience somewhere between joyful and sad, yet completely enthralled.
Aside from these performances, a number of Czech ensembles will present circuses, clown shows, and theatrical movement pieces to satiate all entertainment connoisseurs. On top of this there will be street art, open air shows, photographic exhibitions, workshops, and encounters with circus and theatre professionals all celebrating the Cirque Nouveau movement.
While there will be plenty for the adults, there will be even more for kids as most of the festival program was designed with them in mind. There will be as many as five different circus and theatre shows per day for them ensuring that they will never be bored. On top of this, they will also be able to choose from a host of free-of-charge workshops where they can engage in art and circus related activities.
Even if you’re not seduced by all the offerings, the festival is still worth a visit as it takes place in the beautiful Letná Park overlooking Prague’s fairytale-esque Old Town from across the Vltava and is a perfect place to kick back, relax, and enjoy a beer regardless.
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The International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Theater runs from August 17th until September 2nd and will be hosted at Prague’s Letná Park. For more information and tickets to the festival go to: http://www.praguewelcome.cz/srv/www/en/eventCalendar/detail.x?eventId=678082