Circus thrills with brassy talent in town

The company’s nine acrobat-musicians will be joined at the Hat Factory by the Luton Sixth Form College Brass Ensemble for the show, called Opus 7.

The band began working with Circa Tsuica’s music director Camille Secheppet in December to learn the show’s repertoire of Balkan brass and American jazz – and add their own Luton sounds into the mix. They also learnt Circa Tsuica’s technique of ‘sound painting’ so they can move as they play – though the serious acrobatics will be left to the professionals!

The resulting show is an hour of non-stop brass beats, risk-taking circus tricks and quirky humour where the performers never drop a note and the audience gets to join in the party.

Aged 16 and 18, the 13 Luton Sixth Form College Brass Ensemble musicians play a range of instruments including trumpets, flugelhorns, tenor horn, trombones, tuna, sousaphone and drums. They are led by Simon Router, who said: “We are very excited to be involved in such a different project to our normal programme and are all looking forward to the show.”

Opus 7 is the fifth show from Circus Evolution, a three-year touring scheme.

Circus Evolution is managed by Crying Out Loud, whose artistic director Rachel Clare said: “Opus 7 is an ideal show for the circus and offers humour and spectacle, acrobatic and musical skill.”

The show is on Thursday, March 10, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 or £8. Call 01582 878100 or visit www.lutonculture.com/hatfactory