CIRCUS WA will open its new Freo substation home to the public for a free Backflip in Time event as part of the Fremantle Heritage Festival this weekend.
Artistic director Jo Smith said the weekend would mix workshops with history from the building and Australia’s circus past.
“It’s ‘come and try all the circus things in the substation’. And in between those workshops, hear a bit about history; what was happening in the 1930s in circus space, carnival space, and a story about this building.”
• Circus WA are giving folks a first glimpse inside their new home in the Fremantle Sub-station on Parry Street as part of the Fremantle Heritage Festival. There’s talks and workshops on offer, and while there’s not yet a full show to perform, the Chook heard rumours that some circus performers just can’t help but show off.
Architect Phil Griffiths will give a talk about the building’s history, circus performer Nellie Simpson delves into the 1930s fundraising carnival that stood on Pioneer Park, Uglieland, while Noongar leader and actor Derek Nannup has a story about the Colleano family, a First Nations circus family that travelled to America to find fame and fortune.
While it marks the first public look inside, a site-specific performance might not happen until the end of the year.
“This is primarily a circus training and development centre, not a performance centre… getting all our young people and adults trained up to perform, but also just for fun.”
Training program manager Jess Smart said programs would range widely.
“We’ve got everything from a pre-fives class… right up to professional circus artists coming in and running a two day master class.”
Ms Smith said the new hub would also support resident artists, but the journey to get there came at a cost.
“We had to take out a $2 million debt… if we can’t pay it back, this whole enterprise collapses.”
She said taking the plunge had prompted the Cook government to move.
“So when we said we’re going to take the risk of a $2 million loan, the state government stepped in… ‘Okay, cool, we’ll get you there’.”
“So Lotterywest has funded all of the fit-out.”
by STEVE GRANT