After 25 years on the road and a sold-out Christmas season, Giffords Circus announces its most ambitious production yet: “Waterfield”, touring from 2 April to 27 September 2026.
The show marks a return to the English countryside, handcrafted storytelling, and the original spirit that first set the circus in motion.
Inspired by the rivers, hedgerows, and wildlife of rural England, Waterfield unfolds like a living storybook. Audiences will encounter a host of feathered and furred characters brought to life through death-defying circus acts, comedy, and movement along a magical riverbank. The production celebrates legacy, heritage, and family, with the show name chosen by Red and Cecil, children of founders Nell and Toti Gifford.
Directed by long-time collaborator Cal McCrystal, known for One Man Two Guvnors and Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity, the production blends pastoral beauty with thrilling circus spectacle. The world-class international cast includes the Ethiopian Addis Ababa Troupe performing breathtaking acrobatics, the Colombian Valencia Flyers presenting their high-speed Wheel of Death, and Italian knife-throwing and crossbow artists Elena and Giacomo Jasters delivering a daring display of precision and trust. Audiences will also be captivated by high-energy juggling from Jessica Jasters and Sonny Caveagna, dynamic aerial performances from the Cienna Sisters, and playful duos Olivia and Stefan. Musical legends Los Rivelinos from Spain return, alongside the circus’ beloved equestrian stars, Shire horse Maisy, Shetland pony Tinkerbell, and the ever-popular Brian the goose.
Renowned Olivier Award-nominated designer takis returns for the ninth time, transforming the ring with handcrafted sets and costumes made in the barns on the Giffords’ Cotswolds farm. Every prop is layered and weathered to celebrate heritage and craftsmanship, ensuring an immersive and theatrical experience.
Following the show, audiences can continue the festivities with Circus Sauce, Giffords’ rustic dining experience led by Head Chef Eva Maddison, offering a three-course feast of locally sourced, seasonal produce served family-style. Iconic circus wagons provide hot food, sweets, and drinks, with new additions including the Cantina Wagon serving Mexican dishes and The Woolpack on Wheels offering drinks and bar snacks.
Toti Gifford, Founder and Chairman, says, “We are thrilled to share Waterfield with our audiences. Every element of the show has been hand-crafted with love, from the performers to the sets, the music, and the costumes. It’s a celebration of tradition, creativity, and the magical world of the English circus.”
The 2026 season tours the south of England from April to September, offering audiences of all ages a joyous journey into the heart of the English circus.
