In 2022, Imagineer, Orit Azaz and NoFit State Circus came together with creative collaborators Mish Weaver and Tarn Aitken to explore what circus structures, stories and performance can be created with UK-grown bamboo.
After 2 years of research and development, a brand new outdoor show - BAMBOO - has been touring the UK in 2024. Find out more about the show and tour dates here or visit www.nofitstate.org/bamboo.
Below is the story of the creative development process 2022 - 2024.
Bamboo Circus R&D 2022
Bamboo Circus began as a creative enquiry: what kind of circus structures, skills and stories can we create with UK grown bamboo?
Collaborators Tom Rack, Orit Azaz, Mish Weaver and Tarn Aitken began to explore ideas for working with borinda bamboo, grown in Shropshire. Circus performers from different disciplines, including members of Nofit State's Sabotage company, joined in with the research.
Here is a short film by Jon Street about this first phase of creative exploration:
Work in progress was presented as part of Imagine Bamboo Summit at Birmingham 2022 Festival. Resident circus engineer Tarn Aitken also collaborated with Atelier One and Bamboo U to figure out how to raise, secure and rig the 6 metre high bamboo arch swing as part of the event.
Bamboo Circus R&D 2023
For Spring 2023, we located phyllostacys species of bamboo, growing in private gardens in Oxford, Cornwall and Somerset. This provided the focus for two phases of R&D in 2023, leading to work in progress sharings as part of Imagine Bamboo events in Bedworth and Liverpool City Region.
Here is a short film by Jon Street about the 2023 R&D, filmed at 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Centre
Here is a short film by Wes Storey from work in progress sharing at Mesnes Park, St Helens
BAMBOO 2024
A new show BAMBOO was created in Spring 2024 and has been touring in France and UK throughout the summer. Find out more here or watch this short trailer:
If you are interested to find out more about the show and how it might work in your context, please contact dann@nofitstate.org
BAMBOO is NoFit State production directed by Mish Weaver, in collaboration with Orit Azaz and Imagineer Productions. It is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the Foyle Foundation, and Without Walls, and commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Hat Fair and Timber Festival.