Bipolar Ringmaster [without a circus]

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  A poignant, original and funny exploration of passion and disappointment.

  Ennui L’Estrange shares his all-consuming love of circus and the sophisticated hopelessness of his obsession.

  The solitary ringmaster plays with perceptions of mental ill health and performance.

  Ennui conjures up vivid circus performances, on film and in his imagination. We share his knowledge that, no matter what, ‘the show must go on.’ There is no middle ground as the glitz of circus and the monochrome of depression meet head on.

  Devised and directed by Mish Weaver, with actor Eric MacLennan in a solo performance, Bipolar Ringmaster is a developmental precursor for a group show in 2011/2012 in which the character will find himself the pivotal figure of a fully fledged Bipolar Circus.

  The project is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.

  We presented various developmental performances in 2010:

  A Scratch night excerpt at Jackson’s Lane,London on 15/6/10

  A roaming presence in honour of Pablo Fanque at Light Night, Leeds on 8/10/10

  The one-man show at:

  Ilkley Playhouse on 15/10/10

  Yorkshire Dance, Leeds on 12/11/10

  DaDaFest 2010 at The Bluecoat, Liverpool on 29/11/10

  Part of the concept for the one-man show was to integrate film.  We worked with filmaker Mark Morreau to create original film footage of the Ringmaster to support the live performance.  We also worked with Chinese Pole Artist Gemma Palomar Delgado and filmaker Andy Wood to create a circus choreography for inclusion in the live show but that also works as a stand alone dance/circus film.  Excerpts of all these films are visible in the edited highlights of Bipolar Ringmaster (without a Circus).

  

  One fall at a time