FREAKSHOW? CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCE

A cross-media exploration of American sideshows of the 1920s. Co-production between Stephen Dee and Galway Arts Festival for the 25th anniversary of the Festival in July 2002.

Pictures
Sideshow ‘talker’	Catalogue cover

Step right up and see the show! Stephen Dee's cross-media Freakshow? explores the nature of difference and exclusion, through the extreme world of 1920s American sideshows. Now discredited, the freakshow has mutated into sideshow television, among other things. Through sculpture, banners, old photographs, music and film, Dee enters the bizarre, warm, supportive family of the sideshow, and tells the remarkable stories of the great star attractions of the midway. Shocking and gaudy, in-your-face and provocative, Freakshow? seeks parallels for today's multi-cultural society. It was one of the big successes of the Festival, with more than 3,000 visitors during its 10-day run and a lot of favourable coverage on Irish radio, television and in the national press.

In 2003 Freakshow? also had a successful run in the Dublin Theatre Festival Fringe. Now there are plans to tour the show.

Three comments from the visitors’ book:

‘Really illuminates the soul doesn’t run on batteries. Sensitive, noble. Thank you.’

‘Astonishing insights. Inspirational people.’

‘Love it! Very moving show.’

Aidan Dunne, Art Critic, Irish Times, wrote: ‘Stephen Dee’s ambitious mixed-media Freakshow? is proving to be a big draw. An engrossing trawl through the world of 1920s US sideshows, it is amazingly touching.’

Anyone interested should contact stephen@stephendee.com