Encounter Festival Experience Q and A with Hikapee Circus Theatre

We catch up with Hikapee Circus Theatre for their performance at Encounter Festival 2024

Here's what they had to say about the Everywhere's a Beach performance at Encounter Festival 2024.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself / your group.

We're Hikapee! We are a circus theatre company who create theatrical stories with circus weaved throughout. Having toured outdoor work for over 8 years, we love bringing shows to the street and meeting audiences from all walks of life.

2. How many times have you taken part in either the Torchlight Procession or Programme of Events? Do you have a favourite memory from when you participated?

2024 was our first time participating in Encounter Festival. We loved our audience's enthusiasm and support when we managed to perform our show 'Everywhere's a Beach' in the drizzle before the heavy rain began!

3. Can you tell us about your performance at Encounter 2024? Did you enjoy performing for the people of Preston?

We performed 'Everywhere's a Beach' in Winckley Square, and found our audience to be incredibly warm and welcoming. One of our performers grew up in Preston, so it was lovely for her to return home and perform in her hometown!

4. Why do you think people should attend Encounter Festival?

Encounter Festival programmes some really high-quality outdoor shows. There is a brilliant selection and a full programme so audiences can make a proper day out of it. It's all free and so members of the public can take a risk on watching something they wouldn't normally buy a ticket for!

5. Have you got anything exciting lined up for 2025?

We're taking our show 'Everywhere's a Beach' back on the road in Summer 2025, so make sure you check our socials to see if we're heading! We may also have a new production in the making...

A bit about Hikapee 

Hikapee is run and led by Bryony and Edd Livesey-Casey.

The company is based in Epsom, Surrey and has been creating circus theatre since 2014.

Hikapee make narrative driven work that tells stories of the world we live in for the small and tall. Driven to explore the collaboration of storytelling and aerial circus, previous work has toured to theatre spaces, outdoor festivals, village halls, schools and on screen productions.

Hikapee highlights include co-producing work with international companies (The Hidden People), being commissioned by large festivals/venues such as Latitude, Watford Palace Theatre, GDIF, The Lyric Hammersmith, Without Walls to create new work (HOME and Look Up) and creating part of the official Queen's Platinum Jubilee Parade in 2022. 

Follow on social media

Visit Hikapee Circus Theatre to see more information, and follow them on:

• Facebook - Hikapee
• Instagram - Hikapee Theatre
• X - Hikapee Theatre