Colombian circus superstars Circolombia and Mexican collective Circa en Breve will be based in the town take part in event that will see York Road transformed into a Copacabana-style beach.
Two Latin American circus companies are set for an extended visit to Great Yarmouth this summer.
Colombian circus superstars Circolombia and Mexican collective Circa en Breve will be living and working on a number of projects in the town over the summer.
They will be based at SeaChange Arts' Drill House a creation centre where performers come to rehearse and develop new shows and which offers a range of circus and street arts classes and workshops to the local community.
'We're particularly excited to welcome Circolombia to Great Yarmouth,' said Joe Mackintosh, chief executive of SeaChange. 'Delivering guts, grace and gusto, from the streets of Bogota, Circolombia have a reputation for dance and spectacular raw, infectious energy that comes together to make exceptional, exciting circus.'
Most of Circolombia's 20 artists trained and graduated at the National School, Circo Para Todos (which means Circus for All) that supports at-risk young people in Colombia through circus training.
The young company now includes some of the most revered circus performers in the world, each artist earning their coveted places at this incredible school, co-founded by British woman, Felicity Simpson in 1997.
The company has received extensive international acclaim and will be in Yarmouth for a month from mid-June working on their latest show, Acelere, before heading to the Edinburgh Festival and a European tour.
They will be joined over the summer by Circa en Breve, a collective of six Mexican performers who will be creating a new show in Great Yarmouth.
'We met Carolina of Circa en Breve by coincidence,' explained Mr Mackintosh. 'She arrived in Great Yarmouth and volunteered at last year's Out There Festival. When she returned to Mexico, we kept in touch, and she's bringing back her company this summer to work with us.'
Both companies will also work on a range of community initiatives during their stay; running sessions for Seachange's Circus School, the acrobatics programme, delivering master-classes to local artists and working with local schools.
Michelle Gough, tour manager of Circolombia, said 'We're looking forward to working in the town. Circolombia were formed from the very best students of Circo Para Todos, which is all about supporting and giving a life option for vulnerable young people. I hope our work over the summer will inspire local people as to what's possible through circus.'
Both companies will come together with SeaChange's resident artists, Dizzy O'Dare on July 15 in a special Latin-themed celebration.
The Life's A Beach Street Party will see York Road transformed into a Copacabana-style beach and will feature performance from all three companies, workshops, beach bar and street food.
Then in the evening, Circolombia take to the stage inside The Drill House to provide an adrenalin fuelled South American Circus Spectacular.
The event forms part of 10.20.150, a number of projects to mark a trio of anniversaries for SeaChange this year — the10th Out There Festival, 20 years of SeaChange and the 150th birthday of The Drill House.
'Life's A Beach is going to be a memorable celebration,' says Joe Mackintosh. 'It will be the culmination of some great community activity by both visiting companies, and a sensational way for SeaChange to celebrate.'
• For further information on Life's A Beach and 10.20.150, visit www.seachangearts.org.uk
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