FREAKISH, fearless and fantastic. The bohemian and often bizarre side of circus will be centre stage in Ballarat in May for the World Sideshow Festival.
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A line-up of 18 extreme performers including Aerail Manx, reputedly the only man in the world who can swallow a sword while doing backflips, a Lizardman who has altered his skin, teeth and tongue to look like a reptile’s, and Australia’s most prolific Guinness World Record Holder will perform five shows from May 21 to 23 at the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute.
Festival organiser and performer Shep Huntly described sideshow as “the extreme side of circus”.
Audience members may be shocked, may be amazed, but Mr Huntly promised they would not be able to look away.
“A lot of people will be doing freaky things,” he said.
There would be at least four world record holders, Mr Huntly explained.
The Space Cowboy, for example, claims more than 20 Guinness records, including the heaviest weight pulled by eye sockets (411.65 kg), and has previously held the record for most swords simultaneously swallowed, the heaviest weight dangled from a swallowed sword and farthest distance travelled on a unicycle while juggling three objects.
Circus Oz performer Lilikoi Kaos will also perform.
“She is running away from the circus to join the sideshow,” Mr Huntly said.
Mr Huntly is a former University of Ballarat student (he now lives in Byron Bay) and his links with his old university are one of the main reasons he has decided to host the festival here.
“We could have done it anywhere but (Federation University teacher) Rex Hardware has offered us all the production material we need,” he said.
“We’re also getting great support from local business.”
A cadre of 25 FedUni students are managing the live production, including production manager Danielle Barrett and vision manager Lilli Chester.
While Ballarat has the front-row view of this fabulous freak show, the festival will be broadcast across the world through pay-per-view on the internet.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: World Sideshow Festival
WHERE: Ballaarat Mechanics Institute, 117 Sturt Street
WHEN: May 21 to 23, from 7pm
HOW MUCH: Single show $33, festival pass $120, opening night cabaret $20
MORE INFO: www.worldsideshowfestival.com
