The talented troupe had four scheduled performances in Machattie Park at the Ignite the Night on Saturday, along with roving performers delighting festival-goers throughout the precinct. 

With the cold and wet conditions, Cirkus Surreal had to seriously consider whether or not they could carry out the planned program on stage and using the aerial rig.

Coordinator Stephanie Brown said safety was the priority and they were continually mopping equipment down with towels and doing risk assessments throughout the night.

The students knew their limits, so some changes were made, but ultimately everything on the program made it into the performances. 

“These young people are so professional in what they do and they do their own risk assessments, which they are taught to do,” Ms Brown said. 

She added that live outdoor performance will always come with challenges and it was a valuable experience for the students to learn how to confront them in a professional setting. 

More than 20 students were providing entertainment at Ignite the Night, including those who had never performed at the festival before. 

Ms Brown said they all did extremely well and made her very proud. 

She said a lot of parents were there watching and commented to her that they didn’t realise the level of skill their children had. 

“It was wonderful to have so much family support,” she said. 

Cirkus Surreal will be back for the Bathurst Winter Festival’s Brew and Bite night next Saturday.

They won’t be using the aerial rig, but students will be in their costumes as roving characters and performing street theatre. 

“It’s always enjoyable having roving performers adding a bit of flavour to the Brew and Bite,” Ms Brown said. 

In addition to Cirkus Surreal, Ignite the Night also had two performances in Machattie Park from the Pure Imagination Performing Arts dancers and professional ice skaters providing entertainment throughout the event.