OPENING NIGHT DELIGHTS

HOSTED BY DALE WOODBRIDGE-BROWN

A taste of the outstanding skills and some of the artists you will experience over the festival weekend. Grab a drink and gather your friends, the party is about to begin.

THE STUDIO CABARET

HOSTED BY FOXY MORON

From Hard core Hula Hoops, Eric the dog and aerial acts like no other This line- up is for Adults eyes only 18+.

Dale Woodbridge-Brown

National Circus Festival MC

Dale Woodbridge-Brown is an award-winning Kamilaroi man and circus artists from Mugindi. He was awarded the NAIDOC performer of the 2019 and Indigenous circus performer 2021 by the Australian Circus Festival. Dale sports an impressive resume as ensemble member for international powerhouses Circus Oz, Briefs Factory and Casus Circus as well as holding his own as a formidable independent MC and artist. Dales’ dedication thrives due to his strong connection to his family, culture, and love of making people laugh.

Ciara Thorburn “Bubblegum Babe”

Ciara is a passionate, progressive, and creative artist based in Melbourne, Australia who has combined her passion for conceptual art with entertainment in a unique fusion of variety skill and clowning. Bubblegum Babe literally bursts her way onstage with her risky and risqué variety act. Brace yourself for bewildering Bubblegum tricks that must be seen to be believed.

Joel Salom & Erik the DoG

Joel Salom presents Erik the Dog, a metallic marvel that rips around the stage and often rips into his audiences. Erik is the only robot dog in the world to get through to the Grand Final of Australia’s Got Talent, get the Golden Buzzer and urinate on the judges. He’s obsessed with stunts and will do almost anything for an applause. He’s performed in New York with Circus Oz, London with La Soiree and all over Australia. He’s done heaps of gigs and loves his audience, almost as much as he loves himself.

Hana Fiesta

'Splish Splash' is a joyful, bath-time juggling act performed by Hana Fiesta. Suitable for all the family and anyone who loves a bubble bath with their rubber duckies!

Rhianon Ersser

Rhiannon trained at Flipside for 6 years before moving to Albury to train with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus in 2015. She graduated in 2016 specialising in both hula hoops and cloud swing. Rhiannon brings an excerpt from her show Glass Universe to the National Circus Festival. Her signature combination of movement and hoops create a slick, unique work that has been performed all around Australia.

Marianna Joslin

Marianna was born vivacious with a love of the arts. Vulcana Women’s Circus ignited her passion for acrobatics as a young adult. She then cut her teeth as a comrade of the underground arts scene in Brisbane, and as a founding member of the Ice Cream Factory collective. Career highlights include, Twisted Hitch, her renowned female acrobatic duo, her avant garde solo show, All Class, Circa’s Wunderkammer‘ at the Chamaleon Theatre, Berlin, Primavera Exhibition 2016: Mira Oosterweghel MCA Sydney, touring with Sydney Opera House production ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, and working as an ensemble member of Company 2 since 2017, in productions ‘Fallot’ and ‘Le Coup’. Famed for her powerful stage presence, Marianna specializes in acrobatics, aerial silks, and clown. “Her sheer exuberance and firecracker energy is sure to leave you smiling” Dirt and Candy

Tumbian

Tumbian are an emerging contemporary circus trio Anais Stewart, Nell Lovatt and Rosa Mordaunt. Part of the 2020 graduate troupe of Spaghetti Circus, they have over ten years of experience training and working together. Incorporating acro, handstand chairs, tumbling, aerials and movement, using everyday themes to inspire the creation of their performances.

Nichola Hall

Nichola will be performing a static trapeze act that blends contemporary dance and circus, combining technical ability with genuine expression, this act is emotive yet playful. It was created as a collaboration with musician Jordan Scotney, who composed an original piano piece to accompany the act.

Cabaret Cabaret

HOSTED BY HANNAH CRYAL

A cabaret full of sweet treats and circus feats for the WHOLE family.

THE KID’S COMEDY GALA

HOSTED BY OTTO & ASTRID 

Under the big top gathers some of the best kids’ comedy in the circus business. Hosted by none other than Otto & Astrid - Berlin’s Prince and Princess of art rock and Europop and the two halves of Die Roten Punkte.

WRAP UP THE FEST CABARET

HOSTED BY DALE WOODBRIDE-BROWN 

It’s almost time to say goodbye so let’s go out with a bang. Witness some of the festival highlights with your unpredictable and witty host Dale Woodbridge-Brown.

Anna Fisher

With almost 20 years’ experience, Anna Fisher is one of Australia’s leading hula-hoopers. Fusing unique balancing skills with fast paced technical hooping to create a punchy, sassy, and contemporary style that pushes the boundaries of hula hoops as an art form. 

CHEEKY CABARET

In a beautiful, sleepy beach town called Brunswick Heads sits a theatre that sat empty for over 30 years…. And it’s here in this unlikely little venue where some magic really happens.

This town had no idea what to expect when the Brunswick Picture House flung opened its doors with an outrageous, genre-bending, two-hour adult variety show, the Cheeky Cabaret. Its reputation has since spread like wildfire with its often weird but always fabulous line-up, selling out every month and attracting international artists who would ordinarily play much bigger stages.

STRICTLY 18+
LIMITED VENUE CAPACITY

CHRIS CARLOS TRIO

Hailing from diverse backgrounds of rock climbing, fire spinning and gymnastics; Lyndon, Sophie and Chris are acrobats passionate about technique and community building. Currently touring with Rouge, they are incredibly excited to share some unique and fun skills with the next generation of professionals.

Hannah Richards

From as early as she can remember, Hannah has always preferred being upside down. She is Spaghetti Circus alumni and a 2019 graduate of The National Institute of Circus Arts, specialising in skipping, adagio and group acrobatics. Hannah has performed with companies that include A Good Catch; Radish by Night and now Yuck Circus. Her fun, energetic skipping act will bring you back to playing jump rope as a kid, leaving you in awe of the flashy tricks you didn’t think were possible with a rope. Full of comedy, character and high-level skills that she hopes will inspire you to bust out some skipping when you get home.

Rani Huszar

Rani Huszar “Foxy Moron” is one of Australia’s Funniest Comediennes of Physical Comedy, she has toured the globe to over 30 countries presenting a fantastic tour de force of fabulousness. From stage to street theatre she creates incredibly ridiculous shows and routines for all kinds of occasions. Every show combines her unique and special blend of physical comedy with magic and hilarious audience interaction to create an unforgettable experience.

Rebekah Kordas

Bek fell into the circus scene in 2011 when she was studying Theatre/Media in Bathurst, NSW. Having started in gymnastics as a teen, and then specialising in physical theatre at uni, Bek completed her degree which she then promptly ditched because circus was way cooler, and it just so happened to combine both of the things she loved. Bek specialises in static trapeze and group acro, but has a whole lotta knowledge and skill across most other circus disciplines. Along with moulding the minds and bodies of the next circus generations, Bek is currently studying her Masters of Secondary Teaching.

Hannah Cryle

A multi-award winning circus performer, and a rare solo female street act, Hannah’s unique skills are a sight to behold. Separating herself from the pack after graduating from the National Institute of Circus Arts, Hannah has trained in Spain and Canada and performed her street-show all around the world. But, you’ll find, dazzling and death defying are all in a day’s work for Hannah.

UNDER THE BIG TOP

HOSTED BY MARIANNA JOSLIN

Finish your festival day with some belly laughs, dazzling skills and the great atmosphere of the circus big top. This is a great family event and a line up which will only appear once at the festival.

THE BIG AFTERNOON SHOW

HOSTED  BY DANDYMAN

Some late afternoon fun with a touch of cheeky humour to get you ready for your festival evening.

Bamboozled

Louise Clarke:
Pandora Boxes

Nigel Martin:
The Mr. Spin

Nigel Martin is a comic vaudevillian performer who has been entertaining large and enthusiastic audiences worldwide and in his hometown of Adelaide for the last 20 years. With his ferocious energy & endearing, charismatic wit, Nigel is a true comic genius and one of Australia’s finest jugglers.

Louise began her professional career by forming the theatre/dance company No Sudden Movement [NoSM] which was awarded the Dutch choreography Prize in 1998 for 'P.S I love you'.   She later performed with the large-scale Dutch site-specific theatre company Warner & Consorten and with Mevrouw Bakker, the renowned Dutch Street Theatre Company based in Amsterdam.

Flip Kammerer

A born and bred bush baby who bleeds circus, Flip Kammerer started her circus career at age eight, touring and performing in a circus tent with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. If she wasn’t performing, you could find her competing in skating competitions and breakdance battles. Since then, Flip spent years treadin’ the boards from dingy Brisbane night clubs to theaters on Broadway and across Europe. Flip’s skillset ranges from manipulation to arial straps and flying off the teeterboard, but she primarily identifies as a fierce acrobat, idiot, and a sassy brat.

Rako

Rako Pasefika is an Oceanic arts company with indigenous artists based in Rotuma, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. ‘Rako’ is a Rotuman word, representing a place of learning and sharing knowledge. Rako’s vision is to provide safe, nurturing spaces to enable continued indigenous creative practices while building sustainable careers that embody principles of safeguarding our culture, our lands, and oceans. Through a process of storytelling with elders we work to breathe life into ancient art forms and stories to create new, innovative work interweaving our urban experiences while keeping our feet connected to our ‘hanua’, our land, our country. Rako is focused on co-creation and collaboration with indigenous artists and cultural knowledge holders throughout Oceania keeping us connected through ancient blood lines and stories.

Jessie Carson

Jessie is a circus performer and teacher based in the Northern Rivers. Jessie has performed in big top circuses, small ensemble shows, fringe shows and events across New Zealand and Australia.
Growing up, Jessie was always finding ways to be upside down. As soon as she discovered circus, she knew she had found her calling. She has completed extensive training in New Zealand and Australia. In 2019, Jessie graduated from the National Institute of Circus Arts specializing in dance trapeze and hula hoops. Aside from her technical training, Jessie is also a passionate teacher. Through performance and teaching, Jessie hopes to inspire others to follow their passions.

Joe Fisher

Joe Fisher is a Tasmanian juggler who has performed for most of his life. His career highlights include a guest performance at the Israeli Juggling Convention, producing and directing the award-winning PHAT CAB CLUB, and performing in Spiegelworld’s Absinthe and Opium in Las Vegas. His unique mix of creative juggling, musicality and virtuosic performance style has seen him perform to acclaim in 7 countries.

Suzi Langford

Misha Reale

Misha began her Circus career performing as an aerial artiste in the early 1990’s. She toured the UK and Europe with Skinning The Cat, The Circus of Horrors, Cottle & Austen’s Electric Circus and her own company Skydance. She returned to Australia and toured with Silver’s Grand Magic Circus. In 2003 Misha commenced working full time at The National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne, as an Aerial Trainer, specialising in Cloudswing. She coaches private, one on one classes and group classes in Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Aerial and Act Development in many Aerial disciplines including Tissu, Corde Lisse, Static and Swinging Trapeze, Web Rope and Cloudswing.