The Festival of Wonder is back, and this year’s artists and shows have just been announced. This fantastic free weekend is designed to reawaken wonder in an age of exhaustion. Come and explore the power and mystery of wonder and the hope that it can stir within us.
Wonder is all around but we know that it can some days it can feel harder to find than others. Using performance art, children’s activities, exhibitions, reflective spaces, food and community, the festival will give a boost of wonder to all.
This outstanding event, running from November 15 – 17th at St Laurence Church: The Centre for Peace and the Arts in the centre of Stroud, offers an exciting array of circus, dance, comedy and music performances all designed to explore and inspire wonder. Most events and activities are free to attend and open to all ages.
The centrepiece of the festival is a specially commissioned circus show, The Snow Globe, written and directed by Andy Bewley (ex-Giffords Circus) and starring BGT 2023 Finalists aerialists Duo Odyssey, alongside popular French Shadow Dance Duo, Claire and Antho, and award-winning international clown/comedian Viktor Vasiliev.
On Friday evening, following a Relaxed Performance which is already sold out, a Gala Evening to fundraise for the festival will include a performance of The Snow Globe as well as award-winning comedian Jo Enright (Phoenix Nights, The Job Lot, Life’s Too Short, After Life). The gala provides guaranteed seating, as well as discounted standing tickets.
On Saturday all events are free and include circus and dance performances and community singing as well as Children’s Activities, an under-five’s Play Area, Café (with free drinks and cakes), the interactive Wall of Wonder and our popular reflective space, this year called The Thin Space. There will be three performances of The Snow Globe during the day.
Sunday includes a very different and inclusive church service which will include an aerial performance, the Festival of Wonder band and artist and refugee worker Bill Crooks – church as never before.
A Sunday afternoon circus skills workshop will be led by School of Larks – booking is required as there are limited spaces.
The festival concludes with a grand finale, Circus of the Soul, curated by Andy Bewley, which will include internationally acclaimed aerial artist Tatiana Ozhiganova (The London Cabaret, ex-Giffords), Stroud’s own Phoenix Choir and Phoenix Children’s Choir as well as international comedians/clowns Viktor and Lara. Booking is required for this event, but there will be no charge for tickets.
Andy Bewley, Writer and Director of the Festival’s centrepiece circus performance, The Snow Globe, told Stroud Times: “We are thrilled to have a number of very exciting and unique acts in this years’ show. The Snow Globe is a show for all: for those of faith and those of non-faith, for those who have never been to theatre before and to those who are performers themselves, whoever you are, whatever you believe, and whatever you’ve got on, cancel it and come down and join in the fun.”
Full details and tickets at www.festivalofwonder.org
