‘Journey to the Land of Giants’
Come witness these marvels for yourself when Journey to the Land of Giants arrives at St Columbs Park on June 2 as part of the spectacular Carnivale of Colours. (2205JC9)
A spectacular fusion of circus, carnival and acrobatics is in store when ‘Journey to the Land of Giants’ comes to St Columb’s Park this Saturday, June 2, during the city’s amazing Carnivale of Colours.
Journey to the Land of Giants is a support event to Land of Giants – the epic show taking place on Belfast’s Titanic Slipway on June 30 as part of the London 2012 Festival. That’s expected to attract as many as 18,000 visitors to Belfast.
The Derry show, Journey to the Land of Giants, will see circus performers, gymnasts and acrobats coming together to tell a tall tale of confusion about how some of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks came into being.
Will Chamberlain, retired clown and Director of Belfast Circus School, spoke to the ‘Journal’ about this ambitious show and what Derry audiences can expect on June 2.
“Basically, Journey to the Land of Giants is the biggest-ever street theatre ever created in Ireland. On the day we will have 30 library monkeys, who, in mythical Journey to the Land of the Giants, are the inhabitants who help you get the book you need.
“These library monkeys, who are actually children, will be acrobatically leaping across a huge stage and climbing 15 foot high Chinese poles,” he explains.
“Altogether, the production involves 45 children and young people from the Belfast Circus School, Belfast Carnival and Rathgael Gymnast Club, accompanied by musicians and five professional circus performers. In total its a cast of 60 taking place on a large stage which transforms onto a giant library book before becoming an ocean-going liner and then turning into the Giant’s Causeway, which is actually played by a number of performers!
“It’s difficult to describe as it’s never been seen before. It’s a fusion of circus, carnival and trapeze all on a stage which transforms in front of your eyes to tell a spoof version of how the Giant’s Causeway came to be built.”
Mr Chamberlain went on: “It’s an upbeat and highly vigorous physical production with a lot of human comedy and music to accompany it all. The show lasts around 45 minutes and hopefully will point people in the direction of the Land of the Giants, which happens a few weeks later in Belfast.”
The annual Carnivale of Colours is celebrating its fifth birthday with international acts from across the globe. Set in its picturesque surroundings of St. Columb’s Park, the weekend offers a host of shows, activities and scrumptious delights including arts and crafts, face painting, stiltwalkers, storytelling and drumming circles.
Journey to the Land of Giants kicks off at St Columb’s Park at 3pm on June 2 as part of the Carnivale of Colours. Admission FREE!
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Weather for Derry
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 10 C to 12 C
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