A PILOT project aimed at bringing the circus to rural communities will be touring Dorset this summer.

Circus Around & About is a pilot touring project aimed at bringing a high quality, small-scale, family friendly circus to rural communities in Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset from July to September 2021.

Funded by Arts Council England, the project is being delivered by a partnership between Somerset-based Take Art and London-based Crying Out Loud; events in Dorset will be presented by Artsreach, the counties touring arts charity.

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Rachel Clare, artistic director of Crying Out Loud, said: “This pilot project takes more circus to more people across the South West. Crying Out Loud is very happy to be collaborating with Take Art and the Rural Touring schemes to further develop the network, reaching new communities who’ve not experienced contemporary circus in this way before.”

Following the impact of Covid-19 on community life, Circus Around & About offers a varied selection of circus acts in outdoor locations. Each outdoor event will feature two shows by extraordinary national and international touring companies.

In Dorset, Artsreach is thrilled to be presenting five performances across the summer, set to take place in Yetminster, Broadmayne, Halstock, Blandford and Litton Cheney. Companies touring as part of the Dorset double-bills include trapeze artist Tilly Lee-Kronick, Hip Hop acrobat duo Simple Cypher and award-winning of acrobats and musicians Pirates of the Carabina.

Ralph Lister, exucutive director of Take Art said: “On behalf of the South West rural touring agencies, I am delighted to be developing a circus touring project with Crying Out Loud. For some time I have felt these two worlds have much to offer each other and this pilot gives us the opportunity to reach audiences hungry to re-engage with live performance.”

To find out more and book tickets visit: www.artsreach.co.uk