Festival Of Fools Kicks Off

A magical world of the traditional Russian fairy tale will be brought to life in the grounds of Belfast's City Hall tomorrow evening (Thursday) for a performance of 'Mogota'.

Performed by the abstractly named Mr Pejo's Wandering Dolls, (pictured) it is to be the opening ceremony for the annual 'Festival of Fools', which also starts tomorrow and continues until Monday 3 May.

Emanating from St Petersburg, 'Mogota' centres around a magical and mysterious village fair, which introduces us to a variety of intriguing characters offering their wares. None is more mysterious than the master toy seller, with his array of colourful dolls, which come to life and invite the audience to stroll into a dream and become players in an entrancing work of mask and movement.

The performance starts at 6pm, lasts 60 minutes and is free.

Over the course of the weekend, Mr Pejo and his Wandering Dolls also will lead a unique procession through Belfast's historic Cathedral Quarter.

Later, 'Decadence' will interrupt the frivolity of the city with a procession of mysterious white entities: stark lamplighters coming alive under the street lamps, guileful buffoons make merry with magic Chinese lanterns and a haunting white lady beguiles the crowd, while a pilgrim draws the audience into a game of lamps and mirrors, with unearthly movement inhabiting the space between dream and certainty.

The procession will leave Cotton Court on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9pm, winding its way through the Cathedral Quarter to St Anne's Square.

This is the seventh annual Festival of Fools celebrating the best in international street theatre.

Over the five days, there will be more than 100 performances from street performers from as far away as the USA, Russia, Spain, France and Australia – and even the Kaash Republic – as well as some of the finest talent from closer to home, around the city centre.

All performances are free, but as ever audience members are encouraged to show their appreciation in the traditional style. For details of all acts, performances and locations, pick up a brochure from locations throughout the city centre, or visit www.foolsfestival.com

(BMcC/GK)