For the last couple of years, it’s been around the fifth to 17th but this year they wanted to allow everyone enough time to recover from the first of January celebrations, and _Q11 they’ve put it at the end of the month. The program has sensational _Q12 theatre dance and also a large number of art exhibitions. But the thing that festival is most famous for is it’s great street music for today’s report, though Geoffrey I’m looking at some of the theatrical events that you might like to see in particular at this year’s theme circuses.

I’m going to tell you about two circus performances, but _Q13 there are plenty of others in the program. I’ve chosen these because they represent distinct movements within circus performance. The first is a circus Romano from Italy, As this is a traveling circus. It follows a long tradition by performing _Q14 in a marquee, which is really like a canvas portable building usually put up in a green space or car park rather than in a theatre or stadium. In spite of this circus, Romano isn’t at all like the traditional circuses I grew up with. There are no animals, just very talented clowning and acrobatic routines. The show has a lot of very funny moments, especially at the beginning, but the best part is the music and _Q15 lighting their magical. At $45 it’s very expensive anyway. It’s really for _Q16 adult tastes. In fact, much of it would be wasted on Children, so I suggest you leave them at home.

The second circus performance is Circus Electrica at the _Q17 Studio Theatre. The purists are suggesting that this isn’t a circus at all. It’s a showcase for skill and dance and magic, rather the usual ones you expect in a circus. With only six performers, it’s a small production, which suits the venue well. The studio only seats about 200 people. From my money, it’s the aerial displays, which are outstanding as well as the magical tricks features which are missing from Circus Romano. One interesting feature of the show is that the performers are so young, the youngest is only 14 but it’s still well worth seeing a good one for _Q18 the whole family.

And finally, as it’s summer, you may wish to see some of the festival performances that are being presented outdoors, like the famous Me Kong Water puppet troupe performing _Q19 in the City Gardens this week. Now water puppetry is amazing. It’s large puppets on long sticks controlled by puppeteers standing waist-deep in the lake. The puppets do comedy routines, and there’s some terrific formation dancing. This is a fantastic show, and the best moment comes at the end. Seeing the puppeteers when the troop walks up out of the water, you get this amazing feeling. It’s really hard to believe that what you’ve been watching is lifeless wood and cloth. As an adult, I had a great time, but I did note that other older people in the audience weren’t quite as taken with it as I was. It’s a must for _Q20 young Children, though, and that’s the audience it’s really aimed at. Well, that’s all I have time for today, but I’ll be back next week with more news of what’s worth seeing and what it’s best. A miss

Attempt full listening test…