Following on from the success of Sequins and Sawdust in 2005, a much bigger and more ambitious project began to take shape. Cirque Bijou wanted to produce a collaborative circus and street theatre public show in a big top, with a bigger cast, that would reach a bigger audience. With The Circus Space and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School on board, Cirque Bijou secured funding from Bristol Alliance, the developers of Cabot Circus, as well as The Arts Council and Arts and Business.

The show was directed by Jon Beedell of the Desperate Men, and Mitch Mitchelson, head of Theatre at The Circus Space. It featured 20 students from The Circus Space’s Degree Programme, 16 technical students from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 4 professional street performers sourced by Cirque Bijou, and a live 6 piece band, directed by Shirley Pegna. As well as various rehearsal and devising sessions in the couple of months leading up to the opening of the show, an intensive week and a half rehearsal period onsite in the Big Top preceded the run, in Castle Park, Bristol from April 6th-9th and on the Southbank, London from April 16th – 21st. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School provided a technical director, stage management and crew, and Cirque Bijou and The Circus Space together managed the marketing and PR, with some assistance from The Bristol Alliance.

A highly entertaining and very well-received public show, incorporating a dazzling array of circus skills, street theatre and live music from a cast of 30, set in a beautiful big top (which offered some very nice facilities including an onsite bar).  The show was a great success.

‘An evening of superb heart-in-mouth acrobatics…a real narrative, some strong characters, and plenty of both beauty and humour….This show deserves a bigger, national audience’. Steve Wright, Venue

‘A vivacious, busy and very likeable show’. Sarah Hemming, Financial Times

For more information, see our show website www.sequinsandsawdust.co.uk.