festival of fools 2015

Belfast City CentreFriday 1 May –

foolsfestival.com

Monday 4 May 2015

Comedy StreetShows For Free120

It’s that time of year again. A Bank Holiday looms and we would like to invite you to come and sample more than 120 shows and more than 20 walkabout performances presented by the most talented collection of clowns, acrobats, jugglers and eccentrics from around the world - assembled for your entertainment and delight.

Welcometo the 2015 Festival of Fools

We bring you Boybands, Brothers and Bigpigs. We’ve got That Man, Sharp Dressed Men and Morris Men. We have a Doctor, a Danger and a Dansko.

We have four days to put a smile on your face and a skip in your step.

Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter are going to be ringing with the sounds of laughter and applause so if you need a lift, you know where you need to be. Get on a bus or train and head our way with Translink. Enjoy some food and drink at any one of our 17 members of the Festival of Foods. Then rest your weary head on a pillow in the Ramada Encore. Between Festival and our sponsors, we really have thought of everything.

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BIG BIRTHDAY BASH We have some extra special treats for you this year as we are also celebrating the 30th Birthday of our sister organisation, the Belfast Community Circus School, which is one of the oldest and largest community arts organisations in the country. Look out for this icon to

see who is connected to BCCS and go to belfastcircus.org/publications to find out more. For details on 30 birthday events across the year log on to belfastcircus.org/events

RETURN OF THE GREAT ARTDOORS For the third year in succession we will be presenting the Great Artdoors in Writers Square in association with creativechangeni.com which will be a platform for local visual artists to show their work and give you the chance to enjoy and maybe even own some art.

LIKE us on Facebook.com/foolsfestival

T: 028 9023 6007 [email protected]

PLEASE GIVE ENORMOUSLY Street theatre around the world has always relied on donations from the public to keep it going. The Festival of Fools is happy to keep up this tradition. You will be asked to give money at the end of each performance. If each person attending the Festival gave £5 in total for as many shows as they want to watch, we can make next year’s Festival the most spectacular one ever. So don’t give your change. Change your give. Fold it and put it in the hat!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION #FOOLSFEST Throughout the Festival, we hope that you see things you love and you share things that make you laugh. If you like a show let people know. If there is a great meal to be had, tell someone. We want the world to hear how great the Festival is and how brilliant Belfast can be. #foolsfest @foolsfestival

/foolsfestival

@foolsfestival

Festival Team

Will Chamberlain Festival Director

Sarah Kelly Festival Coordinator

Rosemary Ferguson Finance

2 OPENING CEREMONY-BELFAST YOUTH CIRCUS4 THE BIG FINISH6 THAT MAN 7 AFRIKAN WARRIORS8 COMPAGNIE EN PLEIN VOL9 HAGGIS AND CHARLIE10 COLM O’GRADY11 JONATHAN BURNS12 LA BELLA TOUR13 DANSKO GIDA14 IN YOUR SPACE CIRCUS &

CLOUGHJORDAN CIRCUS CLUB15 BARREN CARROUSEL 16 MAGILLIGANS17 CANDIES18 DOT COMEDY19 LORDS OF STRUT 20-28 FESTIVAL OF FOODS OFFERS29 BELFAST MET & SUNDAY CIRCUS30 MISCHIEF LA-BAS31 DAN HOLTZMAN32 LULU33 TENNIS DENNIS34 JIM & DR NICK35 DICK DANGER36 SHARP DRESSED MEN37 FATT MATT38 MARTIN BIGPIG39 MR H40 AMAYA & MORRIS MEN41 STREETWISE COMMUNITY CIRCUS &

COMMUNITY CIRCUS LISBURN42 SALIDA CIRCUS43 COMMUNITY/ OPEN STREETS44 SUPPORTERS48 SCHEDULES & MAPS

1

Friday

1 May 7pmWriters’ Square

OpeningCeremony

2

When a lone circus performer arrives for an audition to find two companies vying for her services the scene is set for one of the most colourful job interviews ever held. With both companies competing fiercely to attract this young circus star into their fold, it’s only a matter of time before chaos ensues. This production sees more than 30 senior members of the Belfast Youth Circus working alongside a handful of seasoned professionals in a performance which brings together the traditional circus styles with contemporary skills sensations. Fast paced acrobatics combines with slick juggling and aerial grace to create an exhausting and action packed show to launch the 2015 Festival of Fools.

ALSO APPEARING AT: COMMUNITY CIRCUS CELEBRATION SATURDAY 2 MAY 11am Writers’ Square

Belfast Youth Circus

(Guess where from!)

Cast OffPresents

#smartmovers

Sponsored by:

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3

(The World)

BigThe

Finish4

SATURDAY 2 MAY SUNDAY 3 MAY MONDAY 4 MAY 6pm St Anne’s Square

Always one of the highlights of the day, the Big Finish brings together the best moments of the Festival of Fools into one exciting, unpredictable cabaret of creativity. We never know quite what people are going to bring to the party with this show. Sometimes it’s the best bits of an old show. Sometimes it’s a new bit from their imagination. And sometimes it’s a collaboration between artists who only just met that day. Whatever it turns out to be, we are confident it will be the best place to sit and soak up some atmosphere in Belfast every evening.

BigFinish

5

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2pm Cotton Court 3.20pm Cornmarket

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1.20pm Rosemary Street 3pm St Anne’s Square

MONDAY 4 MAY 3pm St Anne’s Square 4.20pm St Anne’s Square

ManThat(Belfast)

Poetry in motion. Manipulation in its magnificence. Performance of prestidigitation. Punctuated by pirouettes. That translates as a beautiful, winsome, humourous, precise display of movement in all of its magical forms. One man in harmony with and occasionally, at odds with the world around him. The show contains comedy, dancing, and juggling. All live on the street. If you don’t like any of these things, please seek help!

PS: don’t let the photo fool you, it’s also in colour!

Supplied by premierecircus.com

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Need a bit of a lift to your day? No better company to deliver it than these guys who will give not only you a lift, but throw you in the air and catch you afterwards! Having trained on the streets of Tanzania, these three carefree acrobats will be hurling themselves around for your entertainment and dodging some extremely hazardous looking fire so that you can enjoy an infectiously energetic show.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 12pm Cornmarket 2.20pm Writers’ Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1pm Cornmarket 5pm Rosemary Street

MONDAY 4 MAY 2.20pm Cotton Court 5pm Rosemary Street

AfrikanWarriors

(Belfast/Tanzania)


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“En Plein Vol” promise to take you back to gentler times with a traditional vaudeville style which delivers an explosive physicality. The company brings a mixture of spectacular acrobatics, elegance and comedy to take your breath away. The Sky Is The Limit for this talented trio as they take to the streets in full flight.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 1pm Rosemary Street 2.40pm St Anne’s Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 2.20pm St Anne’s Square 4pm Cotton Court

CompagnieEn Plein Vol

(Australia/France)

8

It’s 30 years since this duo began creating their own special brand of circus humour. Some say it’s the devil-may-care display of dazzling dexterity that makes it so special. Others say they have the keys to a goldmine of comic stupidity that they bought off some bloke in a pub. All we know is that, as much as they squabble with each other like an old married couple, you’re going to love them.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 12.40pm Cornmarket 3.20pm St Anne’s Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1.40pm Cornmarket 4pm Rosemary Street

MONDAY 4 MAY 2.40pm Writers’ Square 5pm Cornmarket

Haggis & Charlie(UK/France)

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SATURDAY 2 MAY 12pm Cotton Court 3pm Rosemary Street

SUNDAY 3 MAY 2pm Rosemary Street 5pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 12pm St Anne’s Square 2.40pm Cornmarket

ColmO’Grady

(Ireland/Belgium)

YodelPresents

We don’t want to say too much about this

perennial festival favourite except

to say that as far as horn playing,

leek dancing, lederhosen clad, giraffe

unicycling, bell ringing, Alpine

street performers called Wolfgang are

concerned, this man is probably our

favourite. If you want a little taste of

the bizarre and you enjoy some splendid

stupidity, then catch this man before

he catches you.


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Ever since he first hit the streets of Belfast in 2012 more than 100 people have got themselves tied in knots. We’re not talking politicians here, we are talking about a lost generation who have been unable to move since attempting some of the ridiculous feats of bendiness brought to Belfast by this most flexible of street comedians.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 3pm Cotton Court 4.40pm St Anne’s Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 2pm Cotton Court 4.20pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 12pm Cornmarket 3.40pm St Anne’s Square

BurnsJonathan

A Flexible Comedy

Presents

(USA)

11

Two clowns on a mission. After losing the circus life they were born into, La Bella Tour are looking for just one thing as they travel the streets of Europe. The sound of laughter. And they are prepared to do almost anything to find it. This presentation sees them attempt feats of juggling, magic and acrobatic heroism with mixed results! Catastrophe and triumph collide in this tale of hope and hopelessness; chaos and laughter.

Clowns are for life, not just for children.SATURDAY 2 MAY 1.20pm St Anne’s Square 4pm St Anne’s Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1.40pm St Anne’s Square 4pm St Anne’s Square

TourLa Bella

(Spain)

12

Entire University research budgets have been blown trying to work out what makes this man tick and why it is so irresistibly funny. Don’t expect us to describe what happens in Dansko’s show because, even though we have seen it like a million times, we have absolutely no idea. All we can say is that you are advised to bring your funny bones and your funny bodies to this show. They will get plenty of use. Feel free to bring your own ducks!

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2pm St Anne’s Square 5pm Cotton Court

MONDAY 4 MAY 2.20pm St Anne’s Square 5pm Cotton Court

Dansko Gida(Belfast/Kash Republik)


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The North West present In Your Space Circus. These young clowns have just begun their journey in the big bad world of circus. Join them as they step out for the first time with their performance “Tall Tales”. A humorous mixture of circus skill, music and mayhem.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 3pm Writers’ Square

Cloughjordan Circus Club was established in March 2011 when Joanna Williams first ran a series of circus classes in Cloughjordan, a small rural village in North Tipperary! Since then the Club has grown and become a staple part of community life and the cultural activities in the area. Our small village now boasts the highest ratio per capita of unicyclists in Ireland (probably the world!) It’s not uncommon to see local school children unicycling to school or a unicycle parked in the local bike racks!


Circus ClubCloughjordan

(A small rural village in North Tipperary) In Your

CircusSpace (Derry/

Londonderry)

#smartmovers

Community Circus Celebration sponsored by:

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14

Venture inside a mystical journey into the world of circus, books, inventions and mayhem. Enter the private library of the distinguished inventor Tarquin Potts where he whips up a chaotic storm on his quest to outwit every circus artist’s worse enemy... GRAVITY!He is ably supported and at times thwarted by his uptight and highly strung assistant Paige, whose only desire is for a quiet life and a clean, organized library. This is a new aerial circus show featuring ground and aerial acrobatics, juggling, manipulation and comedy.

SUNDAY 3 MAY 2.20pm Writers’ Square 4.20pm Writers’ Square

MONDAY 4 MAY 12.40pm Writers’ Square 4pm Writers’ Square

BarrenCarrousel

(Belfast)

Shhhhhhh (...a circus show)

Presents

Cloughjordan


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North Antrim’s favourite duo are making the biggest comeback since Dirty Den threw a boomerang on EastEnders. You thought you were safe when Bobby emigrated to the North Pole, but the cheese loving brothers are reunited after a difficult year - spent trying to think of a new joke! Driven by the desire for laughter and the desperation of being broke, Frankie and Bobby will be appearing for 2 days only. We promise.

Magilligans(North Antrim/Belfast)

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1pm St Anne’s Square 3pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 1.20pm Cornmarket 3.20pm Cornmarket

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The epitome of fifties femininity these all American pageant queens will stop at nothing to fulfil their life’s ambition... PERFECTION! Bringing you a sprinkling of foolery, The Candies return to the streets of Belfast with finesse, fashion and foul play. With wicked tongues and sharp sense of humour, these beauties shall entertain the crowds with their all singing, little dancing, but, most definitely great walking act. Every street is like a movie set... Will you get caught up in their filmic fantasies?

Wandering around Donegall Place, Castle

Lane and Cathedral Quarter throughout

the Festival

The Candies(Derry/Londonderry)

17

They Have Arrived.

Out of the nether-regions of Orion’s Belt...not knowing where they are, or who we are, or what is going on. The alien vanguard...do they come in peace or shall we prepare to be turned into pizza?!

Take them to your leaders. If you dare!

SATURDAY 2 MAY 1.20pm Writers’ Square 4.20pm Writers’ Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1.40pm Writers’ Square 3.40pm Writers’ Square

MONDAY 4 MAY 1.20pm Writers’ Square 4.40pm Writers’ Square

Dot Comedy(UK)

Lost on EarthPresents

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“Destiny is written on the dance floor and we know how to read!”

Brothers, Famous Seamus and Sean-tastic, return to Belfast driven by a lust for fame but broken by a talent for failure! Satire, Surreal and Silly all wrapped in a parcel of laughter delivered to you with love and acrobatics. “This is circus like you have never seen it before. In the air, on their backs and with very little clothing.”

MONDAY 4 MAY 1.20pm St Anne’s Square 4pm Cornmarket

Lords ofStrut

(Ireland)

STREETPresents

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Monday 27 April - Sunday 10 May

What started as a typing error in the Irish News ends as a fantastic feast of delicious possibilities. With a growing reputation for fine foods and friendly faces, the restaurants, cafes and bars which feature in the 2015 Festival of Foods represent the finest, freshest and best

choice for the Festival friends.

We believe in supporting everything that is best about Belfast and that is why we consider ourselves so lucky to have so many excellent food partners who believe in supporting everything that is foolish about the Festival.

With 17 of the best restaurants, bars and cafes in the city taking part in this unique festival within a festival you

can be guaranteed the widest range of choice in the finest places to eat and drink.

Not only are all the performances this weekend free, but the Festival of Foods offers free food for children and great meal deals for everyone over a two week period covering the festival.

All you need to do is cut out your vouchers from the following pages, hand it to your server and relax.

Festival of Foods - a cut above the rest!

Eat Drink and Be Merry with

Festival of Foods

FOOD VENUES1 The Potted Hen2 Chopin Grand Cafe3 The 4th Wall4 SQ Bar & Grill5 House of Zen6 Coppi7 Salt8 ESTD9 John Hewitt

10 Hadskis11 Yardbird12 2 Taps13 The Cloth Ear14 The National15 Deli Lites16 Little Wing17 The Garrick

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(Guess where we are from)

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E S TA B L I S H E D 1 8 7 0





BelfastCircus

Met(Guess where we are from)


The talented students from the Towards

Work and Independence programme in Belfast

Met present What did we sign up for?!?

a celebration of their hard work,

featuring marvellous manipulation,

death defying human pyramids and

scintillating synchronisation.

Prepare to be astounded!!!!

SundayCircus

(Belfast)


Having burst onto the international festival scene last year with their first Fools appearance, we couldn’t resist the chance to see another performance infused with infectious enthusiasm and overflowing with energy. So they are back! With a mix of aerial skills, juggling and acrobatics to put the bounce back in your step.

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Some people are just head and shoulders

above the crowd and when you have a big

family like these guys, you will stand

tall in any crowd. If you need somebody to

cheer you on as you make your weary way

from one hilarious street show to another,

there is no better mob than the Fan

Families to rouse your rabble.

Mischief La-BasScotland

Wandering around Donegall Place, Castle Lane and Cathedral Quarter throughout the Festival. Find them outdoors at The National Grande Cafe or The Dirty Onion sometime between 5pm-6pm

Fan Families

Presents

30

Having played to huge

audiences in the U.S. for over

30 years, this top American

performer comes to Belfast

for the first time to see if

he can amuse the skinny

people too. A juggler must

understand the gravity of

any situation, and with his

show “Drop Everything” Dan

presents a light hearted

display that combines

original stunts and playful

banter with a perfectly

balanced blend of comedy

and coordination.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2pm Cornmarket 4pm Cornmarket

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1pm Cotton Court 3.40pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 12pm St Anne’s Square 4pm Rosemary Street

Dan Holtzman(USA)

31

Meet Lulu, an artist who can’t be contained in any gallery. Dressed in yesterday’s news, this lady will sweep you off your feet and quite literally draw you into her imagination. Against a backdrop of sketching frenzy, scenes unfold, pouring from pen onto paper, turning the flat world of line drawings into a magical 3D experience for the child in all of us.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 1pm Cotton Court 5pm Rosemary Street

SUNDAY 3 MAY 3pm Cotton Court 5pm Cotton Court

MONDAY 4 MAY 1pm Cotton Court 3pm Rosemary Street

WorldLulu’s

(Ireland/Italy)

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TennisDennis

(Belfast)

SATURDAY 2 MAY 12pm St Anne’s Square 4pm Rosemary Street

MONDAY 4 MAY 1pm Rosemary Street


Frozen in time, Tennis Dennis is still living in 1984 and celebrating that notorious Grand Slam victory which left his opponent without eyebrows and gave Dennis the nickname ‘the Plucky Kentucky’. He arrives in Belfast with a sportsbag full of tricks and a mission to entertain with his unique combination of juggling, tennis and the occasional fancy dance move. He is not just a mere mortal, he is a legend in his own opinion. He cannot be serious!

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A problematic sound system; a fear of heights; an inability to concentrate; and a total lack of forward planning, make Jim and Nick the perfect double act to take their lives in their hands and their heads on the block. Full of gags and stuffed with skills this act will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Everyone will be laughing…. just not necessarily at the same things.

MONDAY 4 MAY 12.40pm St Anne’s Square 4pm Cotton Court

Jim Dr Nick&(Belfast)

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Dick Danger attempts the impossible as he steers his way through a health and safety nightmare. This show should have a public health warning attached to it. Watch a man flirt outrageously with physical injury without actually hurting himself. A comic show involving an Oral B precision toothbrush, sexy dancing in very tight trousers and Dick’s signature trick, diving from a very high pole headfirst into a bucket of water. Expect to feel really sensible after seeing this show.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 12.20pm Writers’ Square 3.20pm Writers’ Square

SUNDAY 3 MAY 3pm Writers’ Square 5pm Writers’ Square

MONDAY 4 MAY 2pm Writers’ Square 3.20pm Writers’ Square

Dick Danger(UK)

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SharpMenDressed

(Belfast)

It’s all very well to be a smooth and slick performer, but sometimes what really matters is that you know how to wear your clothes. These two well turned out young men present a raft of routines which are nearly as highly polished as their shoes. Prepare to meet your maker, or at least a good tailor while this pair bring you thrills and spills via whips, flying sharp objects and a fiery finale.

MONDAY 4 MAY 12pm Rosemary Street 3pm Cotton Court


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MenDressed

Most people from Belfast are familiar with the concept of spending a day in the sun and returning

bright pink and a little worse for wear. Well, Fatt

Matt has spent the last 25 years in the Australian

sun and you can judge the result for yourselves as the

pinkest performer attempts the ridiculous. This show

will see him play ukulele standing on his head;

balancing three eggs on a chopstick balanced on his nose before attempting the legendary one fingered handstand!

SATURDAY 2 MAY 12.40pm St Anne’s Square 2.40pm Cornmarket

SUNDAY 3 MAY 2.40pm Rosemary Street 4.40pm St Anne’s Square

MONDAY 4 MAY 2pm Cornmarket 5pm St Anne’s Square

Fatt Matt(Australia)


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We’re delighted to welcome back one of the hardest working acts in the comedy world. That’s not to say that his act is hard work, but just that he performs an awful lot. Having started out with Belfast Community Circus School back in the day, Martin has toured the world with his comedy, his juggling and his beard. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy one of the warmest and wittiest shows around.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 1.20pm Cornmarket 4pm Cotton Court

SUNDAY 3 MAY 1pm Writers’ Square 2.20pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 12.40pm Cornmarket

MartinBigpig(Ireland)

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Mr H (Belfast)

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2pm Rosemary Street 5pm Cornmarket

MONDAY 4 MAY 12pm Cotton Court 2pm Rosemary Street


Mr H is back in town - the comedy door swings open and the world turns inside out and, upside down with acrobatic abandon. Enjoy the crazy antics of this silent clown as Mr H arrives without a care in the world, just a broom, a table, a chair, some playful comedy and spectacular heroics. Inspired by the masters of silent film such as Chaplin and Sykes, Mr H brings a special feel for the innocent comedian.

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(Belfast) (Belfast) Amaya MorrisMaster of elegance and creator of mystery, Amaya

invites you to come on a beautifully bewildering and

otherworldly adventure into the world of circus and

imagination and witness the transformation as his

surroundings become an ethereal playground. (And no,

we don’t know what this means either - you will just

have to seek him out to discover)

Wandering around Donegall Place, Castle Lane and

Cathedral Quarter throughout the Festival.

Find them outdoors at The National Grande Cafe

or The Dirty Onion sometime between 5pm-6pm


It’s quite ridiculous to think that we have been holding the Festival of Fools on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend for 12 years and yet we have never enjoyed the delights of that most seasonal and traditional folk heroes - The Morris Men. Their origins are lost in the mists of time and in the car parks of a thousand rural English pubs. All we know is that they’ve got sticks and they’ve got bells and they ain’t afraid to use them!

Wandering around Donegall Place, Castle Lane and Cathedral Quarter throughout the Festival. Find them outdoors at The National Grande Cafe or The Dirty Onion sometime between 5pm-6pm

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SATURDAY 2 MAY 1pm Writers’ Square Community

CircusLisburn

(Guess where!)

Community Circus Lisburn have arrived at Festival of Fools for the first time! Born from a Belfast Community Circus outreach project, they set off independently in 2003, and have gone from strength to strength ever since. Prepare yourselves for an exuberant exhibition of magnificent manipulation and bewildering balance, with some curious characters along the way!

(Belfast)


StreetwiseCommunity

CircusPlates spinning out of control, unicycles go flying, hats, suitcases and umbrellas manipulated with incredible finesse, and an incredibly cocksure magician! It can only be the Streetwise Community Circus Evergreen Touring Group. This troupe brings together adults living with learning disabilities and those accessing mental health services in and around Belfast. A fine example of the power of social circus, this show is packed with skills and laughs, and are they really going to saw that lady in half… again?!?

(Belfast)

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WEATHER TO STAY OUTSIDE AND PLAY

In the unprecedented eventuality that we will experience water falling from the skies, we may be forced to take some shows inside. If this happens then we will have a few locations to head to close by the outdoor spaces. These will be announced via facebook and twitter. If this does happen we would ask for your patience and understanding. Shows will change and timetables may be sacrificed. You might be asked to wait for us to get everything in place. It’s not instant to shift a street festival indoors, but we will do our best.

@foolsfestival

/foolsfestival

WALKABOUT

As ever, we have got some wonderful walkabouts for your entertainment. We are hoping to add a few special surprises to roam the streets adding colour and laughter to your Foolish times. Any late additions to the line-up will be appearing on our facebook and twitter feeds.

SalidaCircus

(USA)

Scarlet SistersPresents

These two talented tall ladies bring some Rocky Mountain high to the Festival of Fools as they meet, greet, tumble and contort. First seen in Belfast more than 20 years ago, the Scarlet Sisters used to be a regular sight at festivals and events throughout Northern Ireland before heading for the high ground in 2001.

CON

NECT

ED

Wandering around Donegall Place, Castle Lane and Cathedral Quarter throughout the Festival

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A Festival for

By the People For as long as there have been streets there has been street theatre.

COMMUNITY CIRCUS CELEBRATION

For 30 years Belfast Community Circus School has been presenting performances from young people in its Youth Circus. Saturday in Writers Square sees the presentation of 3 shows from BCCS, but Northern Ireland has the strongest youth and community circus sector in the country and there are a further 3 performances from other community and youth circus companies from Derry-Londonderry, Lisburn and Belfast appearing in Writers Square. We are also very happy to have a show from Cloughjordan in Co. Tipperary - the village with the highest ratio of unicyclists in Europe.

We invite you to come and celebrate the achievements of young people and people with learning disabilities. Take a look at the amazing work taking place around Northern Ireland.

OPEN STREETS

Ever fancied taking to the streets and putting on a show? Need a little nudge to get you out there? The Festival of Fools is offering you the chance to take part in this year’s Festival and perform a small piece in front of a lovely audience. Every afternoon in Cotton Court, we will be saving some 10-15 minute slots for anybody who wants to perform. If you are interested then email [email protected] in advance of the Festival with a short description of what you want to do.

Anybody taking part in Open Streets can hat their own show and they can also take advantage of some unique advice and reviews provided by an experienced international street performer who will be flown into Belfast to take a look at emerging talent. You might also get signed up by Premiere Circus, Northern Ireland’s leading circus and street theatre agency.

the People#smartmovers


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We would like to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland who have supported the Festival of Fools from the very beginning. The funding received through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Lottery programme has been incredibly valuable and there is no doubt at all that we would not have a festival at all without this support. This year we are very pleased to announce that we have an Official Accommodation Partner for the first time with the Ramada Encore providing a very generous investment in the Festival. Having played on their doorstep in St Anne’s Square since the hotel first opened and having eaten in their restaurant, drunk at their bar and slept in their beds for the past number of years our artists can all testify that they couldn’t want for a better place to look after them every year.

We are delighted that Translink are supporting the Festival for the fourth successive year. We have both enjoyed a great partnership to date which has created audio installations at bus shelters; filmed a viral video, and staged shows in a giant inflatable whale. This year, Translink are supporting our Community Circus Celebration, which is giving us our Opening Ceremony and also sees seven different youth and community circus shows take over Writers Square on Saturday.

We are extremely fortunate to see 17 restaurants, cafes and bars coming on board for the Festival of Foods, which once again has mouthwatering meal deals to make the Festival of Fools one of the best value events of the year. A big thanks also to Arts and Business who have matched the support we have received from business and helped make the partnerships possible.

Normally there would be a longer list of funders here, but this year we are in extraordinary times and just six weeks out from the Festival we still have no confirmation on 50% of our funding. You may see some extra logos here and this is because we are very much hoping they will fund the Festival once again this year.

Official Accommodation Partner

Supporters

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Premiere Circus is one of the leading agencies providing the finest artists and acts for every occasion.

Call Clare on 028 90 333003or drop an email to [email protected]

www.premierecircus.com facebook.com/PremiereCircus

12pm Afrikan Warriors Yodel Tennis Dennis Cloughjordan

Circus Club

11am Belfast Youth Circus

2.40pm Fatt Matt Open Streets Compagnie En Plein Vol

12.20pm Dick Danger

3pm Yodel Jonathan Burns In Your Space Circus

12.40pm Haggis & Charlie Open Streets Fatt Matt

3.20pm That Man Haggis & Charlie Dick Danger

1pm Compagnie En Plein Vol Lulu Streetwise

Community Circus

3.40pm Open Streets

1.20pm Martin BigPig La Bella Tour Dot Comedy

4pm Tennis Dennis Dan Holzman Martin BigPig La Bella Tour Belfast Met

1.40pm Open Streets

4.20pm Dot Comedy

6pm Big Finish

2pm Mr H Dan Holzman That Man Dansko Gida Community Circus Lisburn

4.40pm Open Streets Jonathan Burns

2.20pm Afrikan Warriors

5pm Lulu Mr H Dansko Gida Sunday Circus

CORNMARKETROSEMARY STREET

COTTON COURT SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE

WRITERS’ SQUARE

Saturday 2 May

Friday 1 May

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Barren Carrousel

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Dick Danger


COTTON COURT

SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE

WRITERS SQUARE


Sunday 3 May

Travel to Festival of Fools with Translink Visit translink.co.uk or call 028 90 66 66 30

#smartmovers

12pm

12.20pm

3pm

12.40pm

3.20pm

1pm

3.40pm

1.20pm

4pm

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4.20pm

2pm

4.40pm

2.20pm

5pm

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5.20pm

6pm

Sharp Dressed Men

Lulu

Tennis Dennis

Dan Holzman

Mr H

Afrikan Warriors

Jonathan Burns

Martin BigPig

Magilligans

Magilligans

Lords of Strut

Fatt Matt

Haggis & Charlie

Yodel

Mr H

Sharp Dressed Men

Open Streets

Lulu

Open Streets

Jim & Dr Nick

Open Streets

Open Streets

Afrikan Warriors

Dansko Gida

Open Streets

Dan Holzman

That Man

Jim & Dr Nick

Jonathan Burns

Lords of Strut

That Man

Dansko Gida

Fatt Matt

Big Finish

Yodel

Barren Carrousel

Dick Danger

Dot Comedy

Barren Carrousel

Dick Danger

Dot Comedy

Haggis & Charlie


COTTON COURT SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE

WRITERS SQUARE

Monday 4 May


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Make Smart Moves by bus or train to

1–4 May 2015Belfast City

CentreClickwww.translink.co.uk/foolsfestival

#SMARTMOVERS

Translink is proud to sponsorFestival of Fools

for details

festival of fools 2015

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