Across September, Markeaton Park in Derby will play host to a Big Top tent and a series of thrilling circus performances from one of the UK’s most exhilarating and leading contemporary circus companies, Revel Puck Circus, who will delight and enthral audiences with The Wing Scuffle Spectacular.
The Wing Scuffle Spectacular is a joyous, high impact circus show; no animals, no ringmasters, no bad clowns… expect a jaw-dropping performance!
Revel Puck’s thrilling circus show will be paired with a different performance each night, all performed by local people and groups, to offer audiences a series of exhilarating, exciting and eclectic range of double bills during the 10-day run.
Alongside this, will be a range of ways for local people and artists to get involved.
Luke Hallgarten, Artistic Director of Revel Puck, said:
“Our aim is to make ordinary people feel extraordinary, finding the pleasure and humanity within circus and allowing our audience to be a part of that energy.
Our work is fresh, bold and beautiful. Challenging the preconceptions of what circus is and proving what circus can be.”
A double bill of extraordinary performances
As part of the spectacular double bill, audiences can expect performances from local groups, including:
- Derby Pride
- Chinese Welfare Centre
- Hoverla, Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
- Derby Refugee Solidarity
- LGBTQ+ performance with Holly from Circus Strong
- You?! Any local artist/performance group can apply to fill the remaining performance slots (see below)
“Our aim is to make ordinary people feel extraordinary”Luke Hallgarten, Artistic Director of Revel Puck
Over To You: great opportunities to get involved
There are a wealth of opportunities for local people and artists to get involved in this double bill event – either through performance, helping to build the Big Top, stage managing, ushering, plus much more!
In the lead up to September’s performances, Derby CAN and Revel Puck will be offering the following innovative opportunities for people who are interested in a career in the Arts or Festival/Outdoor Events sectors…
Over To You: Co-Creation Show
In this open opportunity, you can co-create and perform in a community show as part of the Over To You Double Bill on Saturday 10 September.
Open to anyone aged 18+ who lives in Derby and the surrounding areas (within a 5-mile radius of the city).
Find Out More"Much more than a performance opportunity"Sam Rushton, Derby CAN Producer
About Over To You
Over To You is a celebration of local artistic talent and a range of skills, providing a platform to have their voices heard and their performances shared and celebrated.
Produced by Derby CAN, each artist will be given the opportunity to perform as part of the Double Bill, alongside Revel Puck and The Wing Scuffle Spectacular and receive professional support in their preparation of their show.
Sam Rushton, Derby CAN Producer said:
“Derby has so many wonderful creative and talented people, and as part of consulting with our Derby CAN ambassadors, one of our aims was to create a platform in order for these people to perform, have their voices heard and represent the arts and cultural events that happen in their city.
Over to You, however, is much more than a performance opportunity, it is a bespoke programme that has been created alongside the professional performance and circus company Revel Puck to raise aspirations, develop skill sets and raise the profile of practical and labouring skills needed in the creative sectors.”
“A high-quality spectacular show that the community are part of building… content wise and physically!”Sam Rushton, Derby CAN Producer
Hoverla, Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will be performing as part of the evening double bills on Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 September.
Vlod Surma, Co-ordinator of the Ukrainian Community Centre, said:
“Hoverla are a Ukrainian Dance Ensemble that have been proudly keeping Ukrainian traditions alive through Ukrainian folk dancing and music here in Derby since 1972. Now, more than ever, Hoverla believe it’s important to upkeep Ukrainian culture and traditions.
All of us at Hoverla are proud to be a part of Derby. Our city embraces the traditions of art, dance and music of many communities, and this brings us all together to a rich and colourful community. We are so excited to be part of this amazing opportunity.”
Sam continues:
“Nationally, the government identified Derby as an opportunity area with low social mobility, a ‘cold spot’ for low income, fewer high-quality jobs and aspirations, especially for younger people, so we were keen to turn that around by providing a high-quality spectacular show that the community are part of building… content wise and physically!
The opportunities for those aged 18+ (especially young adults entering the workforce) to attain valuable transferable skills, share experiences and the opportunity to build professional relationships with artists and local businesses were paramount to strengthen, invigorate and utilise the potential that is right here in Derby.”
The Wing Scuffle Spectacular and Over To You takes place between Thursday 15 to Sunday 25 September, Markeaton Park, Derby.
Derby CAN Partners
The Wing Scuffle Spectacular & Over To You Double Bill
An evening of thrilling circus from Revel Puck, one of the UK’s most exhilarating and leading circus companies, plus performances from local artists.
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