3 May 2012 - For immediate release

International Aerialist Lends Support to CircoArts

Vibrant Montreal consistently produces the world’s best circus shows and Christchurch could follow the Canadian city’s example according to international circus performer Jenny Ritchie who is in Christchurch to speak at a CPIT CircoArts forum next Tuesday 8 May at 5 pm.

Jenny is based in Montreal and is visiting Christchurch on a break from the production Odysseo where she performs suspended in the air in the world’s biggest circus tent. Odysseo features over 50 circus artists and is another large-scale production from the city that produced the international sensation Cirque de Soleil and fosters many touring circus companies such as the more whimsical Cirque Eloise, seen here at the Christchurch Arts Festival in 2005.

“Circus can give so much to a city - classes for children and adults, a variety of performances and artists who can contribute to all kinds of events. Circus should be part of the recovery of Christchurch,” Jenny said. “New Zealand audiences love quality circus - this country has a great appreciation for the often unspoken language that circus can so powerfully communicate.”

The CPIT forum will seek discussion with Christchurch’s performing arts community about a temporary home for CircoArts while permanent options are being explored. The CircoArts programme’s specialist facilities were damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes resulting in the programme being suspended in 2011 and 2012.

For 17 years the CircoArts programme at CPIT has trained circus artists who have performed internationally and contributed to a strong circus community in Christchurch.

Jenny says it is essential that CircoArts is re-established if the circus community is to survive in Christchurch and she is lending her support to CPIT’s efforts to find temporary facilities for 2013 while a long term solution is being resolved.

“CircoArts has launched many great careers and it’s a springboard for events like the Buskers Festival. It’s part of Christchurch and it also brings people from around New Zealand and Australasia to train in circus arts. There is international support for CircoArts and many of my contacts in Montreal want to visit and share their skills here.”

Head of Performing Arts at CPIT Tom Rainey said there is a lot of support for getting CircoArts up and running within the institute, however the specialised nature of circus training meant finding the right facilities was challenging.

“We’re looking at partnerships with community and other performing arts groups, inviting ideas and discussion and really looking at all the options,” Tom said.

ENDS

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