Christchurch circus returns

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch earthquake last February forced many circus performers to flee the city in search of work. Their base - the Circo Arts school - was damaged in the quake and is likely to be demolished. But they're now slowly returning, as a new base for circus performers is established in the city.

Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV, pages 244-245: The Arts Circus

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of pages 244-245 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The Arts Circus'. Renders: Pivnice

Christchurch Press Infographic: 22 September 2011 (1)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

An infographic showing the proposed Arts Circus.

Fairfax Video, November 2012 (7)

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an interview with Danny Lee about a show put on by the Circus Trust. The show is based on a post-disaster scenario, reflecting the situation in Christchurch. Lee talks about the inspiration for the show, as well as the difficulties finding rehearsal and show venues in Christchurch after the earthquakes. The video also includes footage of the dress rehearsal for the show.

New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Street 1932

Articles, Lost Christchurch

An open field along the west side of Manchester street, bounded by a row of well-grown English Poplars and known as the Circus Paddock, was regularly used for touring circuses which came to town.

BeckerFraserPhotos March 2011 photograph 035

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Construction workers working on the Loons Circus Theatre Company building on Canterbury Street in Lyttelton.

BeckerFraserPhotos March 2011 photograph 036

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Construction workers working on the Loons Circus Theatre Company building on Canterbury Street in Lyttelton.

Christchurch buskers festival goes ahead despite money woes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Tonight Christchurch's Bread & Circus Buskers festival is swinging into action, and its promising to lure the biggest crowds to the central city since pre-earthquake times. But organisers admit the festival hasn't escaped its dire financial past, despite new management and a rebrand as the Bread and Circus Festival last year. And it it will still be running at a loss until about 2022. Katie Todd reports.

BeckerFraserPhotos May 2011 photograph 0031

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Wooden bracing holds up the facade of The Loons Circus Theatre Company building on Canterbury Street in Lyttelton. Samo Coffee Lounge was run inside the Loons building by a group of former Lyttelton Coffee Company staff.

Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV, pages 318-319: Macbeth

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF copy of pages 318-319 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Macbeth'. Photos: Darryl Cribb

BeckerFraserPhotos May 2011 photograph 0032

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Samo Coffee Lounge signs decorate the front of The Loons Circus Theatre Company building on Canterbury Street in Lyttelton. The facade of the building is propped up by a timber frame and concrete blocks. Samo Coffee Lounge was run inside the Loons building by a group of former Lyttelton Coffee Company staff.

Digital Photograph: North side of London Street, Lyttelton

Images, Canterbury Museum

One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 19 November 2011 showing part of the north side of London Street. The properties visible in the photograph are (from left to right) Tommy Changs Café, Canterbury Street, site of theatre erected for the Loons Circus Theatre Company production of Macbeth (being dismantled), Lyttel Arthouse (closed),...

Digital Photograph: Temporary Theatre, London Street, Lyttelton

Images, Canterbury Museum

One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 6 September 2011 showing the temporary theatre erected on the site of the Volcano Café on London Street for a production of Macbeth by The Loons Circus Theatre Company. The green canopy supported on shipping containers was used to shelter the audience. The stage area was the demolition site partia...