If you’re wondering what to do over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, head to Belfast, where bellylaughs galore are promised at the Festival of Fools.
The annual street theatre festival, now in its 10th year, promises a weekend packed with stiltwalking mermaids, mysterious magicians, sword swallowing women, jugglers extraordinaire, and gardeners on trapezes!
From Thursday 2nd May to Monday 6th May, there will be non-stop breathtaking action and laughter across the streets of Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter, with more than 130 performances free of charge.
The Opening Ceremony features the acclaimed physical comedy company Bash Street Theatre. Inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s movie ‘The Circus’, this show combines top-notch slapstick with live music, producing an ambience of nostalgia and laugh out loud comedy.
Some of the more surreal performances is a man with a saxophone for a head; Dr Palfi, the world’s only laughologist, who will be continuing his relentless campaign to stop Natural Causes – the biggest cause of death in the world today; Travelling Obo, a mythical creature whose journey to Belfast is documented in a specially commissioned short film available on the Festival’s facebook page; and the incomparable Chris Lynam whose comedy is so unpredictable even he doesn’t know what comes next!
Also appearing at his first Festival of Fools is Martin Bigpig aka stand-up comedian Martin Mor. Martin began his performance career more than 20 years ago with Belfast Circus School as a street performer, and is now one of the UK’s busiest and funniest comics on the stand-up circuit. Martin is returning to his roots by performing his street show and compering The Big Finish cabarets each evening.
Mooky Cornish, an award winning clown who steals hearts at the same time as drawing tears of laughter, makes a welcome return from last year.
People can also treat themselves to delicious deals in 17 restaurants, bars and cafes taking part in the Festival of Foods – a special voucher section in the festival brochure, also downloadable from the website. Getting to Belfast couldn’t be easier with great value bus and rail ticket options from Translink.
With non stop shows throughout the day in locations across Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter, each evening finishes with The Big Finish – a variety style show featuring highlights from the day’s acts in the relaxed surroundings of Saint Anne’s Square. You’d be a fool to miss it!
For more information visit foolsfestival.com or join facebook.com/foolsfestival