With talk of how great England is, you might be forgiven for wondering if this year’s Giffords Circus offering was leaning into populist politics. Nope: the international nature of their lineup of performers in Waterfield puts paid to that, with cast from across Europe, the United States and Ethiopia. Slightly strangely, the script seems to keep shooting itself in the foot, with attempts at sublime verse unfailingly interrupted by another act, usually but not exclusively Ratty and Mole (Stefan Swoboda and Olivia Louise Swoboda-Weinstein), apparently from Essex, though the show’s programme suggests otherwise…
Of course, going to the circus for the story is a bit like going to a panto and expecting something profound. If it happens, it happens, but it’s not why people have booked. As a family circus experience, then, Waterfield more or less hits the mark, even if I thought one or two of the acts got a bit repetitive. When the ‘newts’, as the Addis Ababa Troupe were referred to, stood in a column of three (that is, a man stood on the shoulders of a man stood on the shoulders of a third man) fairly on in their act, it wasn’t that much of a surprise when they did so again. The ‘wheel of death’, a rotating structure with two circular open cages, one at each end, started to feel like I was sat in front of a tumble dryer watching it spin, though even I couldn’t fail to be impressed by one of the stuntmen putting on a blindfold and managing to negotiate his way around and on top of the moving spinning cage.
The beauty of the circus (if circus could be said to have any beauty) is that if what you’re seeing doesn’t particularly appeal, it won’t be long before something else comes along. The silliness is cranked up to the max, even without the on-stage presence this year of Tweedy the Clown (Alan Digweed), perhaps the most regular performer in the Giffords repertoire. Whilst I was stood in a queue (there is more than one entrance) waiting to enter the circus tent, a parent was explaining why animals no longer feature in the circus – it’s too expensive, there are concerns about welfare and wellbeing, and so on. He’d come to the wrong circus. At the performance I attended, there were no animal circus tricks, just a brief appearance by a pony in the opening moments, then later, a walk around by two horses, followed by a waddle by Brian The Goose. They all looked magnificent.
There’s no expense spared either in the commitment to include live music. Perhaps only a brief extract of ‘Zadok the Priest’ from Handel’s Messiah (don’t ask) was pre-recorded. James Marsh’s sound design was nothing short of perfect when it came to a wide-ranging song list, which included Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’, the Bee Gees’ ‘Tragedy’ and ‘Baggy Trousers’ by Madness, and, I can only imagine, a whole bunch of other songs that I’m too old to know much about. This didn’t quite extend, however, to the spoken word elements.
There was something about not every act getting everything right first time (no names) that gave proceedings an air of authenticity. There’s a great finale to be enjoyed, culminating in what is best described as a pitch invasion – and why not? A suitably celebratory end to a largely jubilant performance. All things considered, this was a glorious couple of hours of escapism.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Ratty and Mole dream of making their home in the valley, where all the fun seems to be happening. But do they have what it takes to earn a place among its wild and wonderful inhabitants?
Meet the ever-mischievous Rodney Rabbit, the finest juggler for miles around. Marvel at Squirrel Nutkin, who spins rugs with her feet as she soars through the air—she is, after all, a flying squirrel. When the newts emerge from the pond, prepare to be captivated as they twist and curl gracefully through the air in a display of extraordinary skill.
Expect the unexpected with the unlikely duo of Sally Henny Penny and the wily Mr Fox, whose death-defying knife and crossbow acts will leave you reeling. These acts carry a strict “not-to-be-tried-at-home” warning. High above, the elegant praying mantises dance in perfect harmony, while the Gifford family return with their beloved menagerie—including Brian the Goose. And, for an extra special treat, we present the most dangerous act ever seen at Giffords: the legendary Wheel of Death.
Raf Shah – Weasel
Olivia Louise Swoboda-Weinstein and Stefan Swoboda – Clowns
Sydney Carrera Wilson and Cassidy Grace Vallin – Cienna Sisters
Sonny Caveagna – Juggler
Jessica Sterza – Foot Juggler
Giacomo Sterza, Elena Busnelli – The Jasters
Sito and Dany Rivelino – Los Rivelinos
Miguel Angel Hernandez Dias, Carlos Mayorga Macias – Valencia Flyers
Surafel Arega Fantaw, Endriyas Abayu Semeneh, Eliyas Messaye Demessie, Leul Moges Azereregn, Anteneh Wondemagegne Hailu, Tadiwos Getachew Astawesegn, Zerihun Demisse Basaznew, Habtamu Getachew Alegn, Yared Aschaiew Chebud – Addis Ababa Troupe
Joe Pickering – Band Leader, Percussion
Rob Taylor – Deputy Band Leader, Trombone, Percussion, Vocal
Laura Morgan – Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute
John Brindley – Electric Bass and Double Bass
Jack Nolan – Guitars and Vocal
Sofia Kherroubi Garcia – Piano, Vocal
Jenna Dearness-Dark – Singer
Cal McCrystal – Writer and Director
Michael Fletcher – Associate Director
takis – Production and Costume Designer
James Keay – Musical Director
Kate Smyth – Choreographer
Sian Clare – Costume Supervisor
Ian Scott – Lighting Designer
James Marsh – Sound Designer
Emma Campbell – Associate Choreographer
GIFFORDS CIRCUS: WATERFIELD
Chiswick House & Gardens, 21 May to 7 June 2026
Tour continues to 27 September 2026
