Clonmel Junction Festival

Various venues, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Sat Jul 1-Sun Jul 10 052-6129339 junctionfestival.com

Last year, the multi-arts Clonmel Junction Festival took circus-inspired performances as the fascinating tentpole for various themes. For its 11th festival, that association continues with a new work from Barabbas, those red-nose indispensables, who bring their new work

City of Clowns

(Jul 3-6) to Junction’s town of fun.

Barabbas’s first full-scale new work in almost two years carries as much surprise for those with clowning preconceptions as those already familiar with Raymond Keane’s heady explorations, as a mischievous clown tentatively re-enters the world to find his place in its startlingly populated expanse.

British company Bear Trap also brings a physical adventure story, Bound, in which a motley crew perform harmonious sea shanties (Jul 1-2). Rannel Theatre’s Flhip Flhop gives classic slapstick a hip-hop remodelling (Jul 7-8), while Cheery Wild Theatre makes physical comedy from the 19th-century Wimbledon flame-out and tragic end of Vere St Ledger Gould in Love All (Jul 2-4, 7-9).

Where Trio (Jul 8-9), Anu Artistic’s sobering story of three confined Iranian women, fits into the programme is anybody’s guess. But then again, Clonmel has rarely met a boundary it didn’t want to break.

Can't see that? Catch this:

HamletPearse Centre, Dublin