Cardiff’s NoFit State at Sophia Gardens

To mark the end of an extensive tour around England and Wales, NoFit State brought its production home to Cardiff over August and September.

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Posted by: Creative Cardiff

Date: 7 September 2022

NoFit State is an internationally acclaimed company, mixing contemporary circus, live music, dance, stage design, text and film to create theatrical productions. Based in Cardiff, it is the UK’s leading large-scale contemporary circus company, performing its shows around the world.

The most recent production SABOTAGE, directed by Firenza Guidi, was performed in Sophia Gardens this August and September, before embarking on an international tour next year.

Speaking about the importance of coming back to perform to a Cardiff audience, NoFit State Creative Director, Tom Rack, said:

It's great to be back in Sophia Gardens so soon, it’s like coming home, especially after having just been on a UK tour with our new show, SABOTAGE. There is no doubt that everyone out there is feeling the pinch, and times are hard, but people will always need bread and circus, and it's fantastic to be able to lift the spirits of our Cardiff audience and bring some wonder to people in these gloomy times.

NoFit State is based in Splott and Adamsdown, and recently we organised the Clifton Street Festival bringing all the elements of the community out on the street with the fantastic help and support from local artists, singers and musicians. It was a true celebration of all our talents and diversity, and we hope the first of many.

Find out more about the Clifton Street Festival.

Tom Rack
Artistic Director Tom Rack (photo credit Richard Davenport)

Although No Fit State’s home is in Cardiff, SABOTAGE brings a skilled cast of performers from all over the world – from Albania to Ireland, from Brazil to Wales.

Trystan Chambers
Trystan Chambers, credit Mark Robson

SABOTAGE performer, Trystan Chambers, from Wales said:

I’ve loved bringing the show here to Cardiff. After teaching with the company for a few years prior to this tour, it’s amazing touring to where the company is based - it feels like they’re coming home! 

The shows are full of friendly faces - who are bringing new friends with them so they too can become part of the NoFit Cardiff family. 

Doing the Clifton Street project was something special too - it showed myself and the other SABOTAGE performers the full extent of the impact that circus and NoFit State can have on an area, particularly its home patch Adamsdown. 

It was really rather special to see members of the circus community here in Cardiff, and members of the local community pull together to create something for the people of Clifton Street. It was fun, engaging and joyous.

 A sneak peek at the show in Sophia Gardens 

Photography credit: Mark Robson

NoFit State performer

NoFit State performer with football

NoFit State performer

 

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