Snatch and Grab at National Circus Festival

BELFAST-based fem-punk performers, Snatch Circus will visit the Northern Rivers for the first time at the National Circus Festival in Mullumbimby from October 4 to 6.

Award-winning performers Angelique ‘Reckless’ Ross and Michelle ‘Mish Mash’ Thoburn promote their Snatch and Grab show as ‘deadly, dirty and dangerous’ and a feminist circus celebration that is ‘joyful and radical, with an aim to challenge’.

Acrobat, flipper and ecology and conservation student Michelle Thoburn grew up in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland and says she works to combine ecological activism and performance to bring awareness to issues and leave the audience questioning the status quo.

Aussie-born Angelique Ross hails from WA and grew up performing and teaching in community circuses throughout rural parts of the state. Now based in Belfast, Ross is known for making bold and evocative circus and is a two-time Australian axe-throwing champion.

Ross said the show was new, surprising and could be a little confronting.

“It’s all of the above – surprise, lots of laughter and confronting for a few,” she said.

“In Germany, we were told, ‘I didn’t know politics could be this joyous’, which sums us up pretty well.

“We use circus as a joyful way to provoke, challenge complacency, and offer alternatives.

“It’s feminist and cheeky and celebrates a messy, fierce, funny presentation of women on stage and in life. Things need to be imagined before they can be created.”

The festival’s three-day program abounds with world-class family fun. Circus, cabaret, live music, food and workshops surround a grand Big Top, and the extraordinary antique mirrored The Famous Spiegeltent. The 2024 festival performance will be the first time both artists have visited the region.

“Despite growing up at the WA circus festival, I’ve never made it over, and Mish has never been to the east coast before,” Ross said. “We’re excited about our road trip and delighted to be coming to the National Circus Festival and to be surrounded by such a rich, inspiring circus community.”

Snatch and Grab is suitable for all ages (with parental guidance). More information on the full program and tickets can be found at nationalcircusfestival.com