The creators behind the inaugural Castlemaine Circus Festival are watching COVID-19 developments closely and continuing to plan their highly anticipated event.
Campbells Creek couple and international circus performers Caz Walsh and Mason West said their November show would definitely go ahead either way.
Caz said they had been working closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council in recent months to plan for all contingencies.
“Council officers have been wonderful and had lots of valuable suggestions about potential ideas, such as limiting crowds and innovative ways of enabling social distancing,” she said.
“One suggestion is to set aside plans to utilise our circus tent ‘The May Wirth’ and have an open air event using our outdoor aerial rig at the Western Reserve, where we could place mats around the ground and family groups could enjoy the show while safely social distancing.”
But if all else fails the pair have begun developing plans for virtual performances that can be live-streamed to local audiences and beyond.
Mason has received funding from Regional Arts Victoria’s Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative to make the festival virtual and live-streamed, so people will still be able to experience the wonders of the festival even if restrictions stay the same.
Caz has also been successful in obtaining funding from the Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts Victoria’s Recovery Boost – Relief Grants, for the creation of a show that will be live-streamed and have its premiere at the festival.
“We are also thrilled to announce that we have secured talented Melbourne troupe Rouge – Circus for Grown Ups as our headline act for the four-day festival,” Caz said.
Rouge were the winners of Best Circus at this year’s 2020 Adelaide Fringe and will visit Castlemaine after a sell-out season in the UK last year.
“We also plan to feature contemporary circus, family-friendly entertainment, a mind-boggling sideshow for the daring and inspiring youth circus,” Caz said.
“We aim to bring people some happiness so that for a short time they can forget about what a really crappy year it’s been.
“As we are planning it all ourselves we can move the event back a couple of weeks if need be, or we can go online, but either way the show will go on!”
Castlemaine Circus Festival launched its new-look website last week and locals can jump online and register their interest at ccfestival.com.au
“It would be wonderful to be able to gauge how many people are keen to come along so we can work on a suitable plan,” Caz said.
