Moon Songs at Giffords Circus
A few weeks ago circus owner Toti Gifford was kind enough to let us sneak into the big top and watch the opening night of Giffords new show "Moon Songs" and a more magical evening would be hard to imagine.
Despite having longed to see one of the shows for years and having read quite a bit about Giffords, see issue 41, we were nevertheless unprepared for the irrepressible Clown Tweedy as the man in the moon, carousel horses that come to life or jugglers that defy gravity. An acrobatic troupe from Ethiopia decked out in gorgeous ikat costumes and couture hats by Philip Treacy offered heart-stopping moments – we could hardly look but couldn't tear our eyes away... a true circus conundrum. Surreal and utterly splendid just about covers the entire experience.
Directed by Cal McCrystal and produced by Nell and Toti Gifford, everything in this "topsy-turvy lunatic world" is a labour of love – the costumes are handmade, the animals are carefully trained and sets are painted in the barns on their farm, as they put it "It's all we do. Circus is our job, our life, our love."
Giffords Circus is touring village greens throughout England this summer and are at Chiswick House and Gardens until 24th June, www.giffordscircus.com
Despite having longed to see one of the shows for years and having read quite a bit about Giffords, see issue 41, we were nevertheless unprepared for the irrepressible Clown Tweedy as the man in the moon, carousel horses that come to life or jugglers that defy gravity. An acrobatic troupe from Ethiopia decked out in gorgeous ikat costumes and couture hats by Philip Treacy offered heart-stopping moments – we could hardly look but couldn't tear our eyes away... a true circus conundrum. Surreal and utterly splendid just about covers the entire experience.
Directed by Cal McCrystal and produced by Nell and Toti Gifford, everything in this "topsy-turvy lunatic world" is a labour of love – the costumes are handmade, the animals are carefully trained and sets are painted in the barns on their farm, as they put it "It's all we do. Circus is our job, our life, our love."
Giffords Circus is touring village greens throughout England this summer and are at Chiswick House and Gardens until 24th June, www.giffordscircus.com