Local performers to appear at King Richard’s Faire

A traveling acrobatic troupe, Cirque Us, with connections to Canton is debuting this year at King Richard’s Faire in Carver. The faire, which has opened annually on weekends at the end of each summer since 1982, is a theme park based on a 16th century English marketplace, with jousting, games, rides, and costumed performers appearing on eight stages or walking the grounds. Artisans and vendors sell themed crafts, food and beverages.

Doug Stewart, the founder of Cirque Us, is thrilled to join the entertainment cast at King Richard’s Faire. As a Walpole native, he is very familiar with the faire and has had his sights set on being a part of it for a while.

Doug Stewart, founder of Canton-based Cirque Us, is slated to perform with his troupe at King Richard’s Faire.

“Renaissance fairs are always so fun with people giving energy back — it’s a more involved audience,” he said.

Stewart knows a lot about audiences. He has been touring as an acrobat for more than 10 years and has been committed to the circus world for most of his life. While in fourth grade, he saw a performance by Circus Smirkus, the Vermont-based youth circus. Captivated by the acrobatic, juggling and theatrical skills of the performers, he immediately decided he wanted to join a circus.

He fell especially hard for the aerial arts because of how they enable performers to fly over the audience. After high school graduation, he attended New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro. He has since performed with Circus Smirkus and numerous other circuses. In 2016, he founded Cirque Us, which gives public performances and teaches workshops at schools and camps.

Based at an office in Canton, Cirque Us is a troupe of highly skilled performers. Its shows aren’t solely showcases for their athleticism and precision but also tell stories that are created collectively by the performers and occasionally include space for input from the audience. The very first act that Cirque Us created, “One Man’s Trash,” was inspired by the group’s having so little money that the set and costumes had to be created from discarded materials. Besides being entertaining, the storyline illustrates how collective action can make a big difference.

Cirque Us also brings their emphasis on balancing individual needs with community goals to workshops they offer at schools and other educational settings. Whether in public or private performance, Cirque Us audiences can expect to see a variety of high-energy demonstrations by its multi-talented performers taking on various roles as aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, tight rope walkers and clowns.

While comedy keeps things light, the acts can appear death-defying, but Stewart explained that the activities can all be done very safely. Instead of nets, Cirque Us relies on crash mats, which are foot-thick, 4-by-4 soft cushions. All training starts low to the ground, and performers practice working higher in slow increments. Stewart noted that he has never had a bad fall, citing the importance of “time, patience and diligence” during the learning process.

Besides performing, Stewart also has behind-the-scenes expertise. In addition to his circus school education, he attended business school and has worked in nonprofits, especially arts management. Currently, he fills directing and management roles, which he thoroughly enjoys.

At King Richard’s Faire, Cirque Us will perform “The Fair Maiden,” which is about a quest to find the right bachelor. The piece is structured to allow an audience member to determine a key detail of the plot, which centers around competition among the performers.

“I love connecting with the audiences and spreading joy,” Stewart said.

Stewart is also looking forward to connecting with the other entertainers in the faire’s cast. He said he loves the environment of the faire, noting that it has a tradition of a “great, supportive community who love what they do, creating happiness.”

Also slated to perform this year on opening weekend this year is Brian Koenig of Canton as the Leaping Leopard. According to the promotional materials, “Families will be leaping with joy” after watching Koenig’s performance, which features a mix of juggling, slack rope walking, and “feats of silly combined with high-energy enthusiasm for the dangerous.”

King Richard’s Faire is one of many Renaissance fairs staged around the country and internationally; American fairs are most often designed around English Tudor or Elizabethan culture. At the Carver fair, the emphasis is more on entertainment than strict historical accuracy.

King Richard’s Faire takes place every weekend August 31 to October 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, go to kingrichardsfaire.net.

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Posted by Candace Paris on Aug 30 2024. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.