The Royal Theatre once again will transform its venue, this time to play host to the first indoor Fossett’s circus. For the first time in 121 years Fossett’s will abandon the Big Top and entertain their audience in the comfortable setting of the Royal Theatre Castlebar.
A week long show of indoor entertainment and fun will take place in the Royal Theatre from Tuesday April 14 to Friday April 19. There will be three shows per day at 12 noon, 3.30pm, and 7.30pm. There is also a chance for you to become involved as they are looking for someone to become a ringmaster for the day.
Fossett’s, Ireland’s national circus, is coming to Castlebar in April. The 121-year-old family run operation had planned to visit the region in spring 2009 and came to town looking for suitable sites to pitch the big top. During their initial trip in December last they were shown around the Royal Theatre and all thoughts of muddy fields and Irish weather were blown away. They were astounded by the sheer scale of the theatre and immediately realised that it could accommodate even their huge production. Indeed, it is only one of three indoor venues in the country capable of doing so.
“Fossett’s are thrilled to be returning to Castlebar. It is over 10 years since Ireland’s national circus has played in the town and this is not due to lack of popularity or local request,” says Robert Fossett. “We have always enjoyed enormous support in Mayo and Castlebar, in particular, was an annual fixture in our touring schedule. Over the past 10 years our show has grown in size and the availability of a suitable site became an issue for us. We have tried every year to arrange a visit to the region but it just never happened. My family are delighted to be coming back to the area and the Royal Theatre is an ideal venue for us.”
This year’s production features performers from Hungary, France, USA, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and of course Ireland. Trapeze, aerial acrobatics, wire walking, ladder balancing, juggling, contortion, and clowning feature heavily in the 2009 production.
Audiences in the Royal will be amazed by the feats of strength from Samson, a unique performer, who has come to Fossett’s direct from Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey in America.
At noon on Tuesday April 14 the Royal Theatre will explode in a riot of colour, music and pure circus magic. The multi-million euro venue will be transformed into a 1,000 seater circus with face painters, jugglers, magicians, tumblers, and clowns greeting the audience as they make their way into the show. For over two hours they will be transported into another world — the wonderful, magical, world of circus. In a time of doom, gloom, and desperation we all need that special circus magic more than ever. Tickets are available from €17.50 on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from The Royal box office on 0818 300 000. For further information check The Royal Theatre and Event Centre website on www.theroyal.ie or www.ticketmaster.ie
