‘Impressive and captivating’: carnation at Brighton Festival
Step inside the Big Top at Black Rock this May at carnation: the revolution is coming and i have nothing to wear and experience a rollercoaster of large-scale immersive circus.
Blending humour, heart and real risk, carnation is performed by leading UK contemporary circus company NoFit State, directed by acclaimed writer-director and performance creator Firenza Guidi. Read on to find out more about this bold, exhilarating show.
carnation brings together world-class circus, live music and striking visual imagery in a powerful, immersive experience. The showdives headfirst into rebellion, resistance and hope in turbulent times, drawing on the aesthetics and politics of dystopian fiction.
carnation was in part inspired by twentieth-century dystopian novels. As we were developing the show, we discovered so many parallels in today’s world. We wanted to hold a mirror up our new post-truth culture and poke some fun at the absurdity of our political masters. — Tom Rack, Artistic Director of NoFit State
NoFit State return to Brighton Festival following 2024’s top-selling Festival Extra SABOTAGE, also directed by Firenza Guidi. NoFit State have had ties to the Festival as far back as 2010, performing Parklife and later Lexicon (2018).
NoFit State are based in Cardiff, but we live an itinerant life pitching up behind the Big Top wherever it goes. It’s a hard but great way of life. Brighton Festival is one we love to keep coming back to. The Festival audience embrace our work – and being part of and surrounded by such an extraordinary family of companies and artists is the perfect place to spend the month of May.
carnation features a wide range of performance, including spellbinding aerial feats, jaw-dropping tightrope stunts, and an inventive trapeze duet. The show is soundtracked by live musicians, enriching this unique, enthralling experience.
We hope that people will come away from carnation feeling inspired and empowered – aware that they are the source of their own strength. Our hope lies within ourselves, and collectively we have the power to shape our own lives and future.
Take a look behind the scenes:
Book now for carnation, running until 25 May at Black Rock.