Circus Abyssinia
Circus Abyssinia Contortion photo by Rod Penn

International sensation Circus Abyssinia confirmed to headline Chapelfield Summer Circus 

plus Hotel Paradiso, Late Night Cabaret and free workshops and community events for all the family 

Chapelfield Summer Circus has revealed that this year’s headline act will be the sensational Circus Abyssinia. They are bringing their international 5 star smash hit Ethiopian Dreams to the east of England for the first time as part of the four day city centre event.

Chapelfield Summer Circus is hosted in Marybelle, the distinctive Big Top tent, in the city centre park from 11 to 14 July. Alongside world-class circus shows featuring international legends are performances by up-and-coming stars of tomorrow, opportunities to have a go yourself and lots of fun for all the family.

Circus Abyssinia has taken the world by storm in the last two years, earning rave reviews around the globe from New York to London, and from Paris to Singapore, Adelaide and Tokyo. They left millions of TV viewers breathless at the Royal Variety Performance and recently thrilled cinemagoers with their prominent appearance in Disney’s live-action movie, Tim Burton’s Dumbo. They come to Norwich for two performances only on Saturday 13 July.

Circus Abyssinia
Circus Abyssinia Chinese Pole Photo by Andrew Rees

Ethiopian Dreams is a joyful family show featuring astonishing stunts and enchanting adventure. It follows the magical, true tale of brothers Bibi and Bichu, who dreamed as little boys of joining the circus. They grew up to help raise a phenomenal new tradition of circus in Ethiopia and they star in this show as the ‘elder statesmen’ of a 15-strong cast. To the irresistible rhythms of Ethiopian music the show is a nonstop feast of death-defying tricks, ensemble acrobatics, human juggling, contortion, hoop-diving and Chinese pole. This is an amazing, funky, energetic and truly awe-inspiring show, described by The Times as ‘sensational entertainment’.

Hotel Paradiso
Hotel Paradiso Lost in Translation Circus photo Trevor Fuller Tasha chandelier

Sharing the bill are Norwich’s own international circus company, Lost in Translation, who weigh in with the colourful, loud and funny Hotel Paradiso (11 and 12 July). The stage becomes a physical playground as a multinational cast of six highly skilled acrobats, clowns and jugglers tell the story of the hotel staff’s battle to save their home and livelihood from the dastardly banker. Daring, virtuosic aerial skills, stunning floor acrobatics and juggling combine with laugh out loud clowning and physical comedy to deliver thrills, gasps, laughs and drama aplenty for both adults and children to enjoy. Lost in Translation are purveyors of ‘good old fashioned contemporary circus’ and have been described as ‘The UK’s most highly acclaimed family circus company’ by What’s On Stage magazine. Following the Norwich performances they are taking the show to the Edinburgh Festival.

All shows at Chapelfield Summer Circus are suitable for all the family, except the daring and risqué Circus Cabaret Lates that take place on the Friday and Saturday nights. Hosted by the master of contemporary cabaret, Dusty Limits both will feature renowned and celebrated performers from around the world for your late night pleasure.

Norfolk Academy for Dance & Circus Arts open the festivities on 11 July with their Peter Pan inspired show Neverland – a chance to see the stars of tomorrow. Over the weekend a programme of daytime outdoor circus fun will include drop-in workshops and circus skills instruction for all ages. The final show on Sunday 14 July is the Oak Circus Community Cabaret. Students from Norwich’s own circus centre will appear alongside alongside circus professionals to demonstrate their skills in daring trapeze, juggling and more. Full information on all shows at www.circusnorwich.co.uk

Chapelfield Summer Circus Director Massimiliano Rossetti said ‘We are really pleased to be bringing the thrills, spills and fun of the circus back to Norwich City Centre. Circus Abyssinia have what is simply one of the greatest shows in the world today and it will be our thrill to bring the new version of Hotel Paradiso to Norfolk for the first time. All this and the chance to see some of the talent we are nurturing right here in our home city’.

Tickets are available from Norwich Theatre Royal in person or by phone on 01603 63 00 00 and via www.circusnorwich.co.uk 

Chapelfield Summer Circus is supported by Arts Council England, Norwich City Council and Norwich Town Close Charities. Eastern Daily Press is the circus’ official media partner.

 

Full listings info follows:

 

Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 July

Chapelfield Summer Circus 

Lost in Translation Circus present a Big Top style tent with a hand-picked selection of international contemporary circus shows appearing in Norwich for the first time alongside up and coming local performers and free daytime outdoor circus fun. Daytime and early evening shows are suitable for family audiences with late night cabaret for adults on Friday and Saturday evenings. Licensed bar and food available.

 

Thursday 11 July 

6pm Neverland (45 mins) All tickets £12

New show inspired by JM Barrie’s Peter Pan combining dance and circus skills from students aged 8-17 from Norfolk Academy for Dance & Circus Arts – see the future stars of circus in Norwich.

8pm Hotel Paradiso: Lost in Translation Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

Thrills, gasps, laughs and drama as a multinational cast of six turn a rundown hotel into a base for daringly heart-stoppingly virtuosic aerial skills, stunning floor acrobatics and juggling combined with laugh out loud clowning and physical comedy. ‘The UK’s most highly acclaimed family circus company’ What’s On Stage

 

Friday 12 July 

7.15pm Hotel Paradiso: Lost in Translation Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

Thrills, gasps, laughs and drama as a multinational cast of six turn a rundown hotel into a base for daringly heart-stoppingly virtuosic aerial skills, stunning floor acrobatics and juggling combined with laugh out loud clowning and physical comedy. ‘The UK’s most highly acclaimed family circus company’ What’s On Stage

10pm Circus Cabaret Lates Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

A thrilling daring and risqué late-night cabaret hosted by the master of contemporary cabaret Dusty Limits, who will introduce the finest circus performers from around the world. Age 16+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult

 

Saturday 13 July FREE

11am – 1.30pm Oak Circus Centre Family Workshops

Drop in workshops for all ages with tutors from Norwich’s circus centre

2pm Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

An incredible jaw-droppingly joyful, uplifting extravaganza of colour and excitement from Ethiopia that has been a huge 5 star sell out hit all over the world. An on-stage cast of 15 perform an amazing, funky, energetic and truly awe-inspiring show. ‘One of the best acts I’ve ever seen’ ★★★★★ Sunday Mail

3.30 – 6.30pm Free outdoor circus fun, FREE

Skills and walkabouts around the distinctive tent.

7.15 Circus Abyssinia Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

An incredible jaw-droppingly joyful, uplifting extravaganza of colour and excitement from Ethiopia that has been a huge 5 star sell out hit all over the world. An on-stage cast of 15 perform an amazing, funky, energetic and truly awe-inspiring show. ‘One of the best acts I’ve ever seen’ ★★★★★ Sunday Mail

10pm Circus Cabaret Lates Adults £14, Concessions £9.50

A thrilling daring and risqué late-night cabaret. Hosted by the master of contemporary cabaret Dusty Limits, who will introduce the finest circus performers from around the world. Age 16+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult

 

Sunday 14 July FREE

11.00am – 12.30pm Oak Circus Centre Family Workshops

Drop in workshops for all ages with tutors from Norwich’s circus centre

3.30pm Oak Circus Community Cabaret All tickets £6

Perfect family entertainment for a Sunday afternoon from students and professionals.

 

Box office: In person or by phone from Norwich Theatre Royal 01603 63 00 00 and online via www.circusnorwich.co.uk