Rarely does live entertainment feel this joyful
How have I not known about Giffords Circus, which has been touring for over 20 years? Founded in 2000 by the late Nell Gifford and her husband Toti Gifford, the magical village-green style circus was born from a shared childhood dream, and that sense of wonder still feels magnificently alive today, writes Luigia Minichiello.
Arriving at the site feels like stepping into another world. The smell of popcorn drifts through the air alongside live music, while painted wagons, handcrafted decorations, and lavishly dressed staff create an atmosphere that is theatrical before the show has even begun. There is even the option of a three-course meal, adding to the charm and escapism.
In an age where spectacle often means screens, noise, and overproduction, Giffords continues to prove that true magic can still be handcrafted. Their latest production, Waterfield, is a whimsical pastoral dream inspired by the English countryside and its wildlife.
The entire show unfolds like an illustrated storybook brought to life, with every performer given a distinctive character. The MC appears as a weasel, while the knife throwers, The Jesters, are reimagined as Mr Fox and a chicken who clucks every time a knife hits the board. The richly detailed costumes feel lovingly created rather than manufactured, and every act is carefully woven into the storytelling rather than existing as a disconnected display of tricks. Even the scene changes are entertaining, filled with clowning from Ratty and Mole, whose comedy routines are paired with impressive acrobatics and gymnastic skill, usually ending in complete chaos and Ratty taking yet another blow to the crown jewels.
What makes Giffords so unique, however, is its balance. For every jaw-dropping stunt, there is warmth, humour, and genuine charm. What other show can boast the talents of aerialist duo the Cienna Sisters performing as praying mantises alongside Brian the goose, Maizie the Shire horse, and Tinkerbell the Shetland pony? Throughout it all runs an unmistakable sense of nostalgia and affection.
The Addis Ababa Troupe, performing as The Newts, are extraordinary, bringing explosive energy to the ring with gravity-defying tumbling, vaulting, and breathtaking human pyramids that repeatedly leave the audience gasping. One of the most moving aspects of the performance is how connected the audience becomes to the acts themselves, seeing the sweat, the occasional disappointment when something does not quite land, and the determination as they try again. The crowd cheers them on every step of the way. It feels like a genuine lesson in resilience for the younger members of the audience watching.
Equally pulse-raising are the Valencia Flyers, The Hamsters and their terrifying Wheel of Death act. It is a masterclass in precision, fearlessness and timing as they run, skip and jump both inside and outside the spinning wheels suspended high above the circus ring. Astonishingly technical and utterly nerve-shredding, the act feels beautifully anarchic, as though Keith Flint of The Prodigy had somehow been reborn in circus form. The blindfolded leap between the wheels drew a completely deserved standing ovation.
At the end of the show, the Grasshoppers band and soprano Jenna Dearness-Dark, who provide the gorgeous live musical arrangements throughout, invite the audience into the circus ring to dance alongside the cast. The crowd immediately joins in. As the performers eventually wave goodbye and leave the ring, with the audience remaining at the centre of it all, it genuinely feels as though the circus belongs to the people.
More than just a circus, Giffords Circus Presents Waterfield is a theatrical, eccentric, funny, and heartfelt experience all at once. Rarely does live entertainment feel this joyful, sincere, and transporting. I only wish there were more tour locations to visit.
Chiswick House, W4 2RP until June 7th.
Booking and full tour details: https://giffordscircus.com/book-tickets/
