When Giffords Circus declared Les Enfants du Paradis its 'most lavish show yet' back in January 2023, it was hard not to get excited by the prospect.
Now that the show is officially on the road, SoGlos was invited to the press night on Thursday 13 April 2023 – and Les Enfants du Paradis certainly lived up to expectations!
Directed once again by Cal McCrystal, this year's show is as romantic as it is dazzling. Tweedy the Clown takes centre stage in a variety of traditional Pierrot costumes, alongside Michael Fletcher and Nell O'Hara, with a host of incredible acts and a heart-warming love story, all playing out within a beautifully hand-painted Parisian theatre-inspired set, complete with crescent moon and sparkling stars.
Audiences can expect to see breath-taking tricks, including acrobatics on roller skates from The Skating Medini, a daring aerial hoop performance from The Luna Girls and a showstopping aerial straps routine from France's Got Talent star Antony Cesar .
Sergi Buka performs a unique Chinese shadow act, with the audience ooh-ing and aah-ing at every trick.
Continuing Giffords's tradition of performing with horses, Amanda Sandow introduces her troupe of five adorable miniature English ponies, Duke, Frosty, Jonny, Trampus and Trigger!
And for the first time since 2019, audiences are able to join the cast in the ring for a dance at the end of the performance, providing a wonderful memory to take home after the final curtain call.
The food at travelling restaurant, Circus Sauce, is equally as impressive this year, with executive chef Ols Halas putting together a creative and delectable menu to enjoy after the show.
Diners at Fennells Farm can look forward to roast parsnip soup and goat's cheese cannoli to start; roast lamb rump and Irish stew cobbler or Slad Valley lion's mane mushroom steak with veggie cobbler for the main course; and a thoroughly indulgent white chocolate rice pudding with rhubarb jam doughnuts for dessert – with the menu changing at each venue to reflect the seasons and the best local produce available.
Tickets to Les Enfants du Paradis cost from £20 per adult and £10 per child, with under threes able to attend for free, while Circus Sauce costs £50 per adult and £30 per child for three courses.
For more information, see Giffords Circus.
