CREATING THE CARNIVALESQUE

A study of seven years of making parades and street theatre for the October long weekend car races in Bathurst NSW Australia (1989 -1996)

This is an examination and explanation of the principles and practices learnt and developed over seven years of making public festival entertainment. It includes mumming shows, puppetry, circus, strolling bands, parades, image building, site decoration, pyrotechnics, walk arounds, improvisation, site management and rehearsal.

This work was undertaken by students and staff in the BA Communication at Charles Sturt University. It was initially informed by the work of Welfare State International, by popular theatre, new circus and street theatre.

The brief:
The brief was to create a friendly, family carnival atmosphere in Kings Parade and Machattie Park in the centre of Bathurst on the Friday and Saturday of the October long weekend. The population of Bathurst doubles in size as 30,000 race fans descend on Bathurst to take part in the celebration of Australia's love affair with cars. They are not a theatre going audience, but they are looking for entertainment. This is provided by Bathurst City Council and was sponsored by the Tooheys Brewing Company (1989 - 1995). There are stalls, rides, cars on display, performances, electrified bands on stage and lots of beer.

In many ways this weekend marks the true beginning of spring in the Central Tablelands. This also makes it a spring festival.

The ideal:
The ideal has been to create through our work a unifying effect on the Saturday visually and auditorily through site decoration, costume, reappearing characters, music and story.

Principle accept and add.
Principle know and love your audience.
Principle tell them stories about themselves, and especially for them in ways that make them feel more alive.
Principle endeavour to link all your work together through design, costumes, overlapping characters, stories, banners, logos and music.

The means:

	Mumming			Parades
	Puppetry			Image Building
	New Circus			Site Decoration
	Strolling Bands			Recommended Reading

S A F E T Y
The practical work involved in devising celebrations requires the occupational health and safety practices associated with the visual and performing arts. Always put safety first.

More:

· Quicktime movies of the parade, cabaret, circus, etc.!