The circus is coming to town this November!

Adult circus cabaret Rouge are set to headline the November event. Photo: Brig Bee Photos.
Adult circus cabaret Rouge are set to headline the November event. Photo: Brig Bee Photos.

The ‘Circus Mania’ Circus Festival is finally set to hit Castlemaine this November!
The long awaited event will be staged over four big days and nights and is the brainchild of talented local circus performers Caz Walsh and Mason West.
The festival was to be held in 2020 but was sidelined due to covid.
However, the event has been locked in for November 17-20 and will feature in the couple’s own 300 seat big top – The May Wirth – named in honour of Australian female circus pioneer May Wirth (1894-1978) famous for her ability to do somersaults forwards and backwards on a running horse.
The big top will be erected at 74-80 Forest Street (opposite the Western Reserve) for the four day extravaganza.
“Brendan Blake has kindly made his block available to us to stage the festival,” Caz Walsh said.
“We are delighted to be welcoming world class acts from our original 2020 line-up to Castlemaine for the event including headline act saucy cabaret ‘Rouge’ which received five star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“We will also be welcoming ‘Big Tops and Tiny Tots’ for the pre-school audience and our very own locally based ‘Suitcase Circus’ will offer a family-friendly show.
“We have worked hard to create a program which offers something for every age group,” Caz said.
“Members of our very own Castlemaine Circus, where I am a trainer, will also be part of our all ages show,” Caz said.
And on the Saturday and Sunday Castlemaine Circus will also be offering a free opportunity for locals of all ages to come down and try their hand at some circus skills.
“There be three shows each day as well as live music, food trucks, a Garden Bar thanks to support from Shedshaker Brewing and other festivities taking place each day,” she said.
“We aim to create a real community atmosphere with something for everyone,” Caz said.
Early bird tickets are now on sale, with tickets starting at just $15. The venue will be wheelchair accessible.
For tickets visit circusmania.com.au

Lisa Dennis
Editor of the Castlemaine Mail newspaper and senior journalist on our sister paper the Midland Express. Over the last 24 years Lisa been proudly reporting news in the Mount Alexander and Macedon Ranges communities.