Following the successful test run in March 2022, the inaugural edition of the Focasa Circus Festival (FOCASA, 馬戲藝術節) will be held officially at Tainan's Shueijiaoshe Cultural Park from Feb. 22 to 28. Jointly organized by the Formosa Circus Art (FOCA) and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Tainan City Government, FOCASA will feature circus artists from Taiwan, France, Australia, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Cambodia.
The Taiwanese teams, one of which is FOCA, will be presenting two different styles of show "Circus as Folks (嘛係人)" and "Circus Party (馬戲派對);" while the Tien Circus Theatre (天馬戲創作劇團) will showcase Taiwan’s first children's circus musical "Beginner (誰偷了我的，超能力！)." Other participating performing art teams include On.P.Young Circus (紅鼻子馬戲團), providing a show that combines circus stunts, magic and physical comedy; and Eye Catching Circus (創造焦點), Taiwan’s all-female acrobatic circus, will be performing "#Since1994," breaking the boundary of strength. In addition, FOCASA collaborates with the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts to bring on stage exciting new shows created by teachers and students.
Combining percussion music and comedy, the French performing art team Fills Monkey will present "We will drum you," a show that is exclusively made by sounds, rhythms, music, and irresistible beats, mixing energy, humor, and poetry.
Gravity & Other Myths (GOM), an acrobatics and physical theatre company from Australia, will perform "A Simple Space." Seven acrobats push their physical limits without reserve; this performance is simultaneously raw, frantic and delicate.
Outside of the V-13 tent, the main performing venue, the FOCASA village also boasts colorful surprises—FOCASA Fruit Stage and souvenir shop with creative circus tools, extreme slacklining challenge, romantic aerial experience, and the thrilling giant wheel. The multitude of hands-on exhibitions is sure to satisfy everyone's gusto. The outdoor Popping Stage will be studded by circus stars from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Taiwan, a total of 14 teams. Together, they will bring non-stop shows from day to night. In the pleasant weather of Tainan's spring, it will surely create an atmosphere just like that of Off-Avignon!
For more information, please visit FOCASA's official website and Facebook page.
(Photo courtesy of Formosa Circus Art)