Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival turns 30
CHRISTCHURCH’S BELOVED BREAD & CIRCUS RETURNS IN JANUARY 2023 AS BUSKERS’ FESTIVAL TURNS 30
Christchurch’s favourite summer street celebration, Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival, returns in 2023 and it’s a big number this year – in 2023, the festival celebrates 30 years with 17 joyful days of breath-taking busking and special events from 13 to 29 January.
For 30 years, the World Buskers Festival has been the quintessential summertime festivity in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Bread & Circus, produced by Strut & Fret NZ, is an annual, landmark event for families, summer travellers, and lovers of performance and comedy.
On turning 30, Festival Director Scott Maidment says, “Busking is a timeless artform that is accessible, surprising, and full of fun. The secret of the World Buskers’ Festival’s success lies in these elements, along with the joy the festival has always brought to the streets of Christchurch at a time when people are relaxing – on a summer go-slow – and often looking for unique experiences and things to do with kids. The event delivers for audiences and for the city. We can’t wait to pop a few corks in January to celebrate this colourful and much-loved event.”
“We’re excited to be bringing back the flair and fun of the Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival to the city after several years of COVID impact. For our residents and visitors alike they will have a joyous few weeks to laugh, play and enjoy being entertained in the amazing spaces around our beautiful city,” says
Karena Finnie, Head of Major Events, ChristchurchNZ.
The street buskers include returning favourites Laser Kiwi, Pedro Tochas, Fraser Hooper, Kozo Kaos, Sport Suzie, Paul Klass, and fifty-five times Guinness World Record holder, Space Cowboy – who last appeared in the festival in 2013. Newcomers this year include modern clown duo The Twins Trip; award-winning and action-packed spy-fi comedy show, Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and Jason Maher, street magician.
Special events in 2023 include the famous Festival Galas at the Isaac Theatre Royal. The fizzy Bread & Circus Brewery Tour returns, the famous free street event, the New Regent St Spectacular, will extend to take place across three evenings, and there will be free evening performances with Trevor Jones at the Piano Bar in The Parlour at OGB.
Also new in 2023 is the international sensation, Silent Disco Walking Tour in which crowds of participants dance through the streets lead by the show’s energetic host, and a NZ premiere of the world’s first wine tasting comedy show, An Idiot’s Guide to Wine, where each audience member tastes six incredible NZ wines while comedian and wine expert Merrick Watts tells jokes along the way.
Headlining the 2023 festival is The Purple Rabbit. This year’s hot ticket is a perfect storm of world-class misfits, for your viewing pleasure, in a five-star evening of mischief, magic and mind-blowing mayhem. This one is just for the grown-ups! This ticketed show is hosted in the gorgeous James Hay Theatre.
Maidment says, “We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to amaze and engage with audiences, and this new creation brings “up-close” to a new level – you won’t believe your eyes.”
For more information, including the full programme, please visit www.breadandcircus.co.nz.
About Strut & Fret NZ
Strut & Fret NZ creates world-class events in dynamic environments which engage, enthral and excite audiences globally. Our team have over 40 years of experience creating and delivering work across the breadth of public and community events, corporate functions, festival precincts, street theatre, comedy, dance, drama, circus, theatre and spectacle, including events for Auckland Festival, New Zealand Arts Festival, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Christchurch Arts Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Southbank Centre London and many more. www.strutnfret.com
About ChristchurchNZ
ChristchurchNZ is the city’s promotions and economic development agency, charged with igniting bold ambition and excitement, stimulating economic activity and attracting visitors to Ōtautahi Christchurch. www.christchurchnz.com