Circo Rum Ba Ba (United Kingdom)

Music seems to awaken what lurks inside as eyes appear from every angle and surreal creatures begin to emerge from within. As the music builds the box erupts into a frenzy of tap dancing and a half bird, half human contortionist balances precariously on top. What other creatures will appear and what else can possibly be contained within this bottomless box?

An exuberant and comedic show inspired by Hieronymus Bosch and including acrobatics, dance and puppetry, that starts and ends with... a Box.

^{“I also much enjoyed Circo Rum Ba Ba’s Box, which features – yes, you’ve guessed – a mysterious box (…). Demonstrating a lovely relationship between music and physical performance, the box comes to life to the sounds of gypsy jazz, swing and tango, as errant limbs and eyes on stalks pop out. As things build, we meet a wonderful succession of strange creatures: beaky birds and big-mouthed fish, people with lobster claws, and headless worms with oogly-googly eyes. All of these fabulous beasts break free from their box and run into the audience (…). The box is also used nicely as a performance podium for the acrobalance, contortion and hand-balancing work from this two-woman team. Clever puppetry and object manipulation, a lovely score, and a great display of circus skills all delivered with more than a dash of humour – this is a show that sparkles with charm and competence.” - Dorothy Max Prior, Total Theatre}

BIO

Circo Rum Ba Ba is a women’s circus theatre company which creates wonderfully bizarre, offbeat walkabout characters and images, from the subtle cameo to the grand parade. The company started its creative life in 1999, and prides itself on promoting female performers in circus and street theatre. Circo Rum Ba Ba are run by Marianne Grove and Winnie Elliott. Marianne trained in Japan and at the circus space and has a myriad of circus and performance skills. Marianne met Winnie Elliott, an actor who trained at Kent University and The Guildhall School of Drama, and invited Winnie to join Circo Rum Ba Ba and they have run the company together ever since. As well as being an acrobat, stilt walker and ball balancer, Marianne also plays the Musical Saw. As well as being Welsh, Winnie Elliott also plays the Celtic Harp. Jenny Webster trained in musical theatre and has fantastic ariel and acrobatic balance skills. Su Nixon has worked with the Circo Rum Ba Ba for many years and has an amazing ability to fit into any role. She is a brilliant puppeteer and great at picking up manipulation skills. The company perform an eclectic mix of theatre, circus and music with elaborate costume and design to create images, street shows and off beat walkabout characters that are stunning to encounter and comically interactive. For over 20 years they have presented new shows to bring inventive performance at free-to-the-public events all over the UK, Europe and worldwide.

_CREDITS

_{Concept: Circo Rum Ba Ba Performers: Marianne Grove, Jenny Webster}

_{www.circorumbaba.com}