The Festival of Wonder kicks off on Friday and some ticketed shows have already sold out.
All tickets have gone for the relaxed performance which starts the Festival on Friday afternoon, the grand finale, Circus of the Soul on Sunday and the Circus Workshop has only two or three tickets remaining.
There are still a few tickets available for the Gala Evening which features special guest comedian Jo Enright (Phoenix Nights, The Job Lot, Life’s Too Short, After Life) plus the only seated performance of the new circus show The Show Globe, written and directed by Andy Bewley (ex-Giffords Circus) and Tatiana Ozhiganova (The London Cabaret, Wonder Woman 1984 Stunt Double, ex Giffords).
Peter Kay says of Jo Enright: “Jo is one of the most naturally gifted comic talents I’ve ever seen. I’d put her in the same league as Julie Walters.”
This year’s other world-class artists include 2023 Britain’s Got Talent finalists, amazing aerialists Duo Odyssey, popular French shadow dancers Claire et Antho (with over 120,000 followers on Instagram), comedian and clown Viktor Vassiliev, the hilarious circus entertainer Thomas Trilby, Stroud’s very own stilt walker and juggler The Magnificent Mr Kai and the popular Stroud School of Larks who will be performing their show piece In Case of Dream, Break Glass on Saturday afternoon and leading a circus workshop on Sunday.
On Saturday The Snow Globe is repeated at 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 7.30pm. No tickets are required but please be prepared to queue for a short time as access is on a first come, first served basis.
To add to the wonderful atmosphere, this year the church will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with hundreds of snowflakes designed by primary school children from schools across the district.
Other artists include Stroud Folk Choir, The Raga Babas, Ambitions Dance and the Stroud Phoenix Choir and Phoenix Children’s Choir. Then there’s the under-5’s play area, a popular craft area where this year big and small kids alike can design their own kite for the festival’s kite display, as well as the ever-popular face painting. And, for those seeking a more refined sense of wonder, a visit to The Thin Space reflective zone and the interactive Wall of Wonder gives a break from the hustle and bustle of the wider festival.
And once the wonder bug has caught you and you’ve worked up a thirst or an appetite, there’s a free café selling hot drinks and cakes, a late afternoon bar and hot food provided on Saturday by community chef Sam Angelo.
Alongside the almost sold-out circus workshop on Sunday, there’s a Soul Journaling workshop for adults, discounted from £25 to £10 – book at festivalofwonder.org/tickets/ – only 10 spaces available.
Living in Two Worlds is the title of the unique church service which takes place on Sunday morning at 10.30am and includes spoken word, the Festival of Wonder band, artist and refugee worker Bill Crooks, a moving aerial performance from Tatiana Ozhiganova and … kites!
“The church is currently being transformed into an amazing winter wonderland and a huge aerial rig has been erected,” says event organiser Phil Coysh. “This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever and is one not to be missed.”
Full details, timings and the last remaining tickets at www.festivalofwonder.org
