KooKoo the Birdgirl

KooKoo the Birdgirl

“She’s wild! She’s wacky! She is KooKoo the Birdgirl!”

Daring circus performer Sarah Houbolt will bring a historical freak show character to life in her one-woman show KooKoo the Birdgirl at TAPAC on 11- 13 November. Described as intelligent, brilliant and witty, this bold full length show will offer a rare glimpse into the darker side of circus life.

In KooKoo the Birdgirl Sarah Houbolt (Shortland St, Worlds Away), a founding member of The Dust Palace and cast member of Cirque du Soleil's Worlds Away, will combine her circus, theatre and dance talents to develop a new physical language for her quirky character KooKoo. Starting out as a shorter piece, KooKoo the Birdgirlreceived stellar feedback from audiences at Splore 2015 and the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2015. Winner of the Best Female Performer Award at Auckland’s Short & Sweet Festival for Dance in 2012 and the Artistic Achievement Award from Arts Access Aotearoa in 2012, Sarah’s full length version premiered at The Body Festivalin Christchurch to rave reviews.

"A performance that explores, beautifully, the capacities of the body... wonderfully satisfying" - Theatreview

"Sarah's KooKoo the Birdgirl has been a huge success in our sideshow!...Her act is brilliant... the crowds are loving her!" - The Space Cowboy, Adelaide Fringe Festival

"Her act is fun and funny... she came in at full speed and blew us away!!" - The Lizardman, Adelaide Fringe Festival

KooKoo aka Minnie Woolsey, who was affected by the rare congenital growth skeletal disorder Virchow-Seckel syndrome, lived an extraordinary life due to her abnormal birth and unusual attraction. Minnie featured in Tod Browning's film 'Freaks' (1932), which was banned for 30 years for being too controversial! Sarah Houbolt, who was born with Hallerman Streiff Syndrome and lives with partial sight, is able to bring KooKoo to the stage in a deeply engaging and heartfelt way.

Houbolt challenges and provokes audiences by delving into the lineage of her craft as a circus performer and the history of disability; combining 2-3 years research with over 20 years experience. Her connection with circus is deepened by the story of her Great-Grandfather; a dove magician at the time of the early 20th Century freak shows. He shovelled coal on a boat from Amsterdam to New York to pay his way to perform magic in New York at the same time as KooKoo was around.

With Celia White (Vulcana Women’s Circus, Club Swing, The Party Line) on board as director, Kelly Nash (Signed, Ahau) co-choreographing, and visual design by Kellie O'Dempsey, KooKoo the Birdgirl is set to be an edgy and engaging production.

KooKoo the Birdgirl plays:
11- 13 November 2015
TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs.
7pm each night and a 12.30pm Matinee 13 Nov (Q&A after show)
Tickets: General Admission $20, Concession (Student, Senior, Equity, DANZ) $15, Total Mobility cardholders $10. Bookings through TAPAC – www.tapac.org.nz or 09 845 0295 ext 2

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