Circus Sideshows

05/08/2025

Realised we haven't been posting much here of late. We've either been really busy, trying to recover from being really busy or having our ongoing battle with technology. I also have a terrible short-term memory and keep forgetting to post... or take photos/video.

13/05/2025

21/01/2025

I am a terror when it comes to remembering to post items here.

We have been VERY busy.

There was a mad Summer full of BigBubbles and Festival Walkabouts, Escape Attempts and our usual craziness.

October was packed with Paranormal Activities & Workshops for children and Adults.

SantaTED dominated December and saw us all over the place creating smiles and spreading fun.

January has already seen us taking Krampus to Sherwood Forest to Wassail The Great Oak and chase the Sherriff of Nottingham.
Wizard Workshops have restarted, The Lucky Wedding Sweeps will be on their rounds and bookings are already being confirmed for events right through until the end of the year.

Look out for The Incredible Menagerie. ;)

03/04/2024

I am currently looking for one or two assistants to help with 'occasional' (can be very regular) Street Theatre & Festival Performances.

Trainee & Paid Roles
We will train the right people

Pay = Terrible but you'll at least get fed & watered
(irrespective of age, we pay per experience and effort. Starts from something towards expenses through to well above industry norms)
Hours = Terrible, (often weekends, holidays and evenings)
Conditions = Terrible; Usually Outdoors, A lot of travelling, We sometimes have the horror of early starts, Often have late returns
Boss = Terrible Sense of Humour, Insufferable and Demanding

Candidates =
No Experience Necessary
6yrs (not a typo) to whatever

Must Be =
Outgoing, Positive & Up for some Fun
Enthusiastic & Willing To Try New Things
Sense of Humour (Vital)
Not afraid of Hard Work or getting mucky
(role will include Set-Up/Loading etc)
Sense of Fun
Reliable
Loyal & Committed
Honest & Trustworthy

Ideally =
Experience within Performing Arts
Circus, Gymnastics, Dance, Music, Acting
Confident with Social Media etc.
Technical Skills
An interest in Magic & Illusion
Ability to help with Costume or MakeUp
Can drive or have access to transport (we can usually work around this)
We are based Hartlepool / SW Durham but travel (almost) everywhere!

We are not interested in anyone who =
Not a Team Player
Lazy
Constantly Attached to a Phone
Boring (unless you really want to not be)
Moody & Grumpy (That is MY role)
No sense of humour.

24/03/2024

13/03/2024

MENTALISM
Mind Games & Mind Mangling
I know you will be very pleased to have booked me.

12/03/2024

Extreme Sponsored Walks... and FIRE!!!

Firewalks
(we also offer Glasswalking and Lego Walking)

My firewalks are legendary.
Rather than the little things provided at most charity events ours are huge. "If you're going to do it, do it in style".

The preparation and build usually arouses a lot of interest and the lighting and burn is an amazing experience that draws huge attention.

You are welcome to raise funds by offering people the experience of completing the challenge or I can take Sponsors or VIPs. Everyone will receive training and instruction in order to safely do this. So far the youngest has been 4 years old, the oldest, in their nineties.

I only use Sustainably Sourced Dried Timber - no scrap.

The Firewalks can be timed to take place during the afternoon or at night. Glass & Lego Walks have no time restrictions.

We also create Fire Sculptures and Installations. These are all commissioned and priced individually.

Provision of large fire activities will usually require a pre-show site safety visit and will not take place if there is a local drought or similar concerns. We have never had any injuries or accidental damage and intend maintaining that safety record.

12/03/2024

Escapology & Stunts...

We are usually happy to display our ropes, handcuffs, straitjackets and other restraints etc and allow visitors to handle them and try them on for photo opportunities as well as proving they are the real deal. VERY popular with children, teenagers and 'surprisingly' quite a few adults. If booked to do one or more of our larger stunts we provide this free as part of the package.

Madman vs Machines (Tug of War)

Dynamite Roulette

Fire Escapes

and other large scale Escape Attempts

Also performances of smaller scale escapes for Sponsors or VIPs.

Blindfolded Driving
(requires large arena)

This display can be varied in scale but often Sponsors like to include their vehicles amongst the obstacles and nominate guests to travel in the vehicle with me.
I invite a lot of audience involvement.
We love to add Pyro and Special Effects. ;)

12/03/2024

Trebuchet...

Another new arrival from the depths of history.

Our real trebuchet can launch water balloons hundreds of feet.

We invite brave warriors to defend the ramparts as well as possibly getting to launch this mediaeval device.
Are YOU brave enough?

[Photos to follow]

12/03/2024

THE STRANGEST THING

12/03/2024

The Incredible Menagerie...

Our newest attraction yet the one we have been assembling the longest.

Step inside the tent where you will meet...
Giant Bats of The World, Water Otters, Giant Boas, Adders, Baby Crocs, Vampire Fish, Dobbin the Six-Legged Horse, a Mammoth Flea and many more wonders collected from all corners of the globe.

If you are lucky you may also meet The Weird Creatures of Weardale or the Wild Man of Yorkshire; maybe even one of our Krampuses. Maybe even our Living Spider Girl.

Educational, Funny and Not to be missed.
This is a guided walk-through exhibit that people simply can't believe so return again and again.

12/03/2024

Walkabouts...

A motley assortment of Weird & Wonderful characters are available from solo wanderers to whole swarms. A couple you may like (or have heard about)...

Madame Jayne The Psychotic Misfortune Teller...
usually accompanied by her assistant, Lucky Heather.
This pair will wander about at intervals revealing inner-most secrets, pasts, presents & futures, dreams and messages from beyond the veil while handing out Lucky Pegs, Sage (and other herbs) Life Advice and Strange Premonitions.

Rookman Swindler (Child Tamer & Workhouse Proprietor) has a very large net and a mobile cage, sweetie shoppe. ;) ..and a measuring stick to see if errant children will be suitable for the chimneys, pits or other training schemes.

Our Micro-Secret Service Bodyguards are ever vigilant for VIP visitors and the threats they may encounter.

The "Trouser People" - well, their just strange and very odd, even for us.