1Good evening,
2and in this week's edition of 'Focus on the Arts',
3Jane Hemmington is going to fill us in on what's in store for us at this year's Summer Festival.
4Over to you, Jane.
5Thank you, Geoffrey.
6This year, the Summer Festival is the biggest we've ever seen,
7so there should be something for everybody.
8This is the third year they've run it and the timing's slightly different:
9for the last couple of years it's been around the 5th to 17th,
10but this year they wanted to allow everyone enough time to recover from the first of January celebrations
11and they've put it at the end of the month.
12The programme has sensational theatre, dance and also a large number of art exhibitions,
13but the thing the Festival is most famous for is its great street music.
14For today's report though, Geoffrey, I'm looking at some of the theatrical events that you might like to see;
15in particular, at this year's theme - circuses.
16I'm going to tell you about two circus performances,
17but there are plenty of others in the programme.
18I've chosen these because they represent distinct movements within circus performance.
19The first is the Circus Romano from Italy.
20As this is a travelling circus,
21it follows a long tradition by performing in a marquee -
22which is really like a canvas portable building,
23usually put up in a green space or car park,
24rather than in a theatre or stadium.
25In spite of this, Circus Romano isn't at all like the traditional circuses I grew up with.
26There are no animals - just very talented clowning and acrobatic routines.
27The show has a lot of very funny moments, especially at the beginning,
28but the best part is the music and lighting.
29They're magical.
30At forty-five dollars it's very expensive anyway -
31it's really for adult tastes.
32In fact, much of it would be wasted on children -
33so I suggest you leave them at home.
34The second circus performance is Circus Electrica at the Studio Theatre.
35The purists are suggesting that this isn't a circus at all.
36It's a showcase for skills in dance and magic,
37rather than the usual ones you expect in a circus.
38With only six performers it's a small production, which suits the venue well -
39the Studio only seats about 200 people.
40For my money, it's the aerial displays which are outstanding
41as well as the magical tricks -
42features which are missing from Circus Romano.
43An interesting feature of the show is that the performers are so young -
44the youngest is only 14.
45But it's still well worth seeing: a good one for the whole family.
46And finally, as it's summer,
47you may wish to see some of the Festival performances that are being presented outdoors.
48Like the famous Mekong Water Puppet Troupe,
49performing in the City Gardens this week.
50Now, water puppetry is amazing!
51It's large puppets on long sticks,
52controlled by puppeteers standing waist deep in the lake.
53The puppets do comedy routines and there is some terrific formation dancing.
54This is a fantastic show and the best moment comes at the end -
55seeing the puppeteers.
56When the troupe walks up out of the water, you get this amazing feeling.
57It's really hard to believe that what you've been watching is lifeless wood and cloth.
58As an adult, I had a great time,
59but I did note that other older people in the audience weren't quite as taken with it as I was.
60It's a must for young children though,
61and that's the audience it's really aimed at.
62Well, that's all I've time for today,
63but I'll be back next week with more news of what's worth seeing and what it's best to miss.