Last May in a shock announcement, Tweedy the Clown said he was taking a break from Giffords Circus and wouldn’t be appearing in the 2024 show.
There was an audible gasp, and then groan across the whole of Gloucestershire. To me, Giffords without Tweedy is like cheese on toast without Worcestershire sauce; just unthinkable! And so, I was intrigued to find out what this year’s show ‘AVALON’ would feel like without him… but hold that thought.
By now, you’ve probably seen the signs about Stroud fastened to lamp posts at the entrances to housing estates, picturing a fair maiden sitting side-saddle on a rearing grey horse. This will give you a hint as to the show’s theme this season. Inspired by Arthurian legends and set in medieval times on the mythical island of AVALON, performances are accompanied by the wonderful house band ‘Jethro Dull’.
Swipe through Simon Pizzey’s Giffords Circus picture gallery
Without giving too many details away, you will see the most amazing acrobats, jugglers, performing horses, agility dogs, and this year’s clowns; Cuthbert the prankster and Merlin the magician, who had the audience in stitches from the off. The comedy duo offered something a little different to our usual clown. Frankly, they were always going to have big clown shoes to fill, but my god, did they nail it!
As well as all the sensational sets, costumes and ambience we’ve become accustomed to over the years, Giffords Circus is back in 2024 in full force, and ok, there is no Tweedy, but you will recognise the familiar brand of comedy and humour brought to us by long-standing Director Cal McCrystal. Watch out for a little piece of comedy gold, when the audience is given an insight into how a certain clown spends his free time…
My hot tip – bring wellies.
AVALON runs until 29th September giffordscircus.com
