Area 51 vamped up Glastonbury Festival’s 40th anniversary with vaudevillian va-va-voom!
The show-stopping travelling circus, the Caravan Of Lost Souls rolled into the festival’s theatre & circus arena for a string of shows that stunned revellers.
The caravan is essentially a Victorian box-on-wheels that unfolds into a gloriously Gilliam-like stage set. Led by exiled ringmaster Igor Rasputin and wheeled along by domesticated chimps, it is transported with a troupe of freaks and followers in a lengthy eye-catching procession of peculiarity.
Once the caravan reaches its destination, it rolls to a stand-still so the compliant chimps can assemble the structure in a flash ready for showtime.
And as soon as Rasputin introduced himself to the Glasto audience with his trademark explosive grandeur, the fun and the magic began with aplomb.
The caravan stage was host to music, magic, fire, contortion and twisted circus entertainment, all which wowed and excited those watching.
Area 51’s cast of kooky and curious crew members took to the boards to deliver a feast of festival fun. An ultra-special guest appearance by the legendary Professor Elemental featured with a steampunk chorus and he performed some of his best-known numbers, including ‘Fighting Trousers’ and ‘Cup of Brown Joy’.
The 2013 festival also marked the 20th anniversary for Area 51 supremoes Matt Page and Rich Moore who first appeared there with their pre-Area 51 theatre group, Kiss My Axe! in 1993. They’ve not missed a year since…
BBC television cameras turned the spotlight on to Area 51’s show on one unforgettably sweltering Saturday afternoon, giving the caravan much deserved exposure.
Haggis McLeod, Theatre and Circus organiser, said: –
“Glastonbury Festival has had the pleasure of working with Area 51 for many years and watched as the company continues to grow and grow, honing its craft with dynamic effect and professionalism. 2013 was no different. Their production of Igor Rasputin’s Caravan Of Lost Souls was very well received by all and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.”
GALLERY
