Friday, February 6, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide


Project to put circus in archive


INTERNATIONALLY ac- claimed Cardiff-based con- temporary circus, NoFit State, has begun work on a year-long project to archive the company’s history and heritage. The project, sup- ported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will catalogue a huge archive of printed material, artefacts, film, photos and documenta- tion covering the company’s 30-year history and will cul- minate in an exhibition and a new interactive website. The project titled From


Ball’s Up to Bianco will tell the story of how a group of youthful Cardiff-based jug- glers assisted by thousands of performers, crew, advo- cates, audience members and partners became directors of one of the most successful contemporary circuses of the century. It will also show the


9 Out and About


Coffee and music for all to enjoy


impact NoFit State has had on the growth of contempo- rary circuses in the UK and further afield, as well as how well rooted it remains in the community of Cardiff. Ali Williams, founder mem-


ber and nowcreative director, comments: “It’s really very exciting to be starting this project, and to be working with experts from Glamor- gan Archive and The Cardiff Story Museum to make some sense of all our archivewhich we have been collecting and storing for so many years. It’s a great fusion between the creative and heritage sectors and very pertinent to our lo- cal Cardiff community”. NoFit State was born in Splott, and the company opened their new profes- sional training space on Four Elms Road in 2014 while maintaining their commu-


ARCHIVE: An example from NoFit State’s history


nity training space on John Street in the city centre. Re- cent tented tours have taken the company as far as Aus- tralia to Perth Festival. Cur- rently, their show Bianco is part of the International Cir- cus Festival in Marseilles and Noodles, the company’s thea- tre show, will be presented at this year’s London Interna- tional Mime Festival. “It’s really a ‘done good’ story,” says Liz Lavender,


volunteer coordinator for the project, “and we hope it will inspire people in many ways. We will be running a volunteering programme so people with very varied in- terests can be involved. We hope through working with local people through Vol- unteering Cardiff we can involve people in the whole process, from specialised activities where training will be given in oral his-


tory recording and editing, for example, to preservation techniques, event coordina- tion, administration, web development and exhibition creation”. For more information or


to get involved contact liz@ nofitstate.org. NoFit State is also keen to hear from any- one with memories of seeing or being involved with any of the company’s community- based shows or activities.


GIVE the housework a break and get away from daytime tel- evision for the morning and come along to our Coffee Morn- ing Concert at The Met, Aber- tillery on Wednesday, February 11 at 11am. For £2 per person you get light entertainment, a cup of tea or coffee and a chance to meet up and reminisce with friends. Light entertainment will in- clude the popular show tunes from Dan Phelps and guest. Get tickets on 01495 355800 or blaenaugwentvenues.com


Valentine’s Day laughs


WANT a good laugh on Febru- ary 14? Then the Savoy in Monmouth


is the best place to be, as they present tailor-made Valentine’s Comedy night, Love and Laugh- ter, featuring four of Wales’ most talented comics – Phil Ev- ans, Ignacio Lopez, Paul James and Karen Sherrard. The showstarts at 8.00pm and costs just £12 a ticket.


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