Moray is set for a treat this week when the Commonwealth Youth Circus (CYC) accompany the Queen’s Baton Relay into the region.
Boasting impressive acrobatics, urban sports, theatre and skilful juggling displays the show that is travelling throughout the country with the Baton Relay replaces traditional circus clowns, animals and cream pies – and echoes a trend for contemporary circus that is happening throughout Europe.
The young circus company, primarily made up of 13-25 year olds from across Scotland, also features several exceptional UK and Australian performers.
People attending the Baton Relay celebrations in Elgin’s Cooper Park on Thursday evening can enjoy 18 performers who will bring audiences a 45-minute street theatre show. This will include aerial acrobatics, parkour, dance, juggling, hula hoop and partner acrobatics.
‘Thresholds’ is directed by Lou Brodie (Imaginate, National Theatre, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and takes audiences on a journey through the nine months the company have had training together, creating a home together and building a community from scratch.
Performers from the CYC will display their skills as roaming entertainers at the Queen’s Baton celebrations and time permitting teach free workshops in circus including acrobatics, juggling and hula hoop.
CYC has been created by Bright Night International, who have toured several shows internationally and in Scotland, including parkour dance shows Wee Jamp and JAMP, and hiphop theatre 925.
Their shows have appeared at the National Theatre, London, at Spoffin, Netherlands and in Cologne, Germany. Alongside the 2014 Commonwealth Youth Circus project for elite performers they also run Bright Night Youth Circus, free weekly circus tuition for 15-25 year olds in Glasgow.
The performance it Cooper Park is expected to being on Thursday evening at 7.45pm.