Hatstand Circus

Large Scale Shows

Hatstand Circus has two large scale shows in development - The Nutcracker Circus and The Garden Of Eden

We are looking for 4-6 week bookings of these shows at the moment for an international festival event.

The Nutcracker Circus

Overview

This is a large-scale show with up to 16 performers for major events and festivals.
It is based on the Nutcracker but with a contemporary twist.
The show has elements of contemporary circus skills such as dance, character work, fire performance, mime, stilt dancing, acrobatics, juggling, prop manipulation and aerial if the venue is suitable.
The show has four main scenes – fire, ice, lights and colour.
All the performers take on up to three different roles within the show with costume changes etc.
It is best performed in dark conditions outdoors but can be adapted for inside stages and theatres. It can also be adapted for daytime performances without the fire and lights scenes.
It is a visual spectacular with narration, which can be translated into any language. There is also song from an Opera Singer.
The Show lasts from 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending on number of performers budgeted for.
We are looking for a six-week run of this show in the first instance. The show is more expensive in the summer and less expensive from January to March.

Technical

A large stage or arena is required with high ceiling clearance of up to 4 metres.
Good backstage changing facilities are required for up to 16 performers.
Staging/Seating/Lighting and Sound should be provided from outside supplier.
All equipment transfer should be budgeted for.
The contract is subject to UK law.
Get in time – 3 to 5 days before the first performance
The show can be performed up to two times per day.
The client should arrange all publicity for the event.
Hatstand Circus can provide photos and text.

Characters

Clara and the Toy Soldier
The Fire Witch
Fire Fairies and Fire Knights
The Ice King
Ice Creatures juggling snow balls and balls of ice
Ninja Glo Jugglers – exciting visual light spectacular with high tech illuminated juggling equipment.
Sugar Fairies with ribbon dancing
Sugar Elves – juggling multiple colourful objects
The Sugar Plum Fairy stilt dance

Synopsis

Opening

A young girl dances around a glittering white and silver tree surrounded by beautifully wrapped presents.
She plays with a doll that suddenly comes alive while she is dreaming.
They dance together and perform acrobalance two person gymnastic balancing and adagio (lifts)

Scene One - Fire

A Fire Witch storms onto stage and starts whip cracking. Two four legged fire stilt creatures parade onto stage and perform slow passage.
The Fire Witch plays with fire and performs fire-eating
Gold fire fairies perform dance with fire fingers and fire umbrellas
Black fire knights perform fire staff fight with acrobatics and stage fighting moves.
Spark creatures perform angle-grinding spark act.

Scene Two - Ice

Lights up to white ice creature statues in formation on stage absolutely still.
The Ice King and Ice Queen stilt characters make entrance and perform passage around stage.
They welcome the girl and the doll into their Kingdom. One of the ice creatures comes alive and offers them an icy drink.
The Ice Queen awakens the ice creatures one by one and they perform:

Crystal ball dance
Rhythmic gymnastic ribbon dance
Snowball juggling routines
Contortion and aerial skills/hoop

Scene Three - Lights

Black Ninja girls perform a light club swinging routine with high tech illuminated juggling equipment – red and yellow lights
Ninja men perform light staff manipulation – with blue and green lights
Ninja jugglers perform high technique light club juggling with many clubs flying around in the air – red and blue lights.

Scene Four - Colours

The Sugar Plum Fairy stilt character dances onto stage and calls her sugar nymphs to perform coloured ribbon (pois) dance. Sugar Fairy stilt dancers perform high technique stilt dance.
Sugar elves perform juggling routine with multicoloured juggling clubs.
A sugar nymph performs a solo acrobatic tumbling piece.
Sugar nymphs manipulate huge colourful kite spinners.

Finale

All the characters on stage in colourful costumes – perform formation dance