Flying Dragon Circus
Date: 29th July 2008

The Flying Dragon Circus enjoyed a very successful summer tour. The European Premiere of the show was held in The Theatre Royal Newcastle where it was very well received by critics and audiences alike.

Ben Robinson from the Evening Chronicle wrote: "Contortionists wrapped themselves around candelabras, silver clowns fought Shaolin Warriors and the music crossed continents. Yes, the Flying Dragon Circus is in Toon as part of its debut tour. And its bizarre mix of Oriental and European styles keeps the audience giggling, clapping, and foot tapping for two hours.

Backed by funky Newcastle band the Baghdaddies, the Flying Dragon Circus is an entertaining spectacle that gives the circus an unusual twist. It is a mix of East and West. The Chinese contortionists are amazing, at one point several girls balance from various tree branches with just their mouths for support – you have got to see it to believe it.

From Europe, aerial artists twist from silk drapes and swing from trapezes, and the way both traditions are combined is superb. A Kung Fu Warrior dancing with a 1960s street punk is unexpected and amusing. The diverse acts and costumes are brought together by music ranging from salsa and jazz to traditional Chinese, and it is a big plus to the night."

The show then moved on to Stockton as part of the Stockton International Riverside Festival, where it was performed in a big top. As with Newcastle the show was very well received and drew good audiences, the festival research also indicated that Flying Dragon was seen by many as a highlight of the programme.

www.sirf.co.uk

The next stage of the tour took the production to Trafalgar Square where it formed the centre piece of the Trafalgar Square Festival which this year had a theme of ‘China Inspires’.

http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/tsf/week1.jspk

The final leg of the tour took the show to Zaragoza in Spain where it featured as part of the World Expo.

http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/

Flying Dragons is available to tour next year and all enquires should be sent to frank@eventi.co.uk

Photography © Gilmar Ribeiro