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The Hooley

Chiswick House and Gardens

Reviewed – 24th June 2021

★★★★★

“a carnival of fun, silliness and breath-taking skill and enchantment”

“Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild. With a faery, hand in hand…” The line, from W. B. Yeats’ ‘The Stolen Child’ echoes around the big top, beckoning us into the magical world of Giffords Circus. A Celtic world of faeries and goblins; pixies, elves and leprechauns. Of dragons and unicorns, illusion and dreams. Bohemian and surreal. “… for the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand”, continues Yeats’ verse, but the line is unspoken here. There is no need of the reminder: the lure is the cure for the cavalcade of ills that have befallen in the past fifteen months.

It’s Giffords twenty-first birthday this year, and they are certainly celebrating in style with ‘The Hooley’. Founded by Nell Gifford, with her ex-husband Toti, the family circus has changed direction every year, adopting various themes, embracing many cultures, and entertaining over a million people on the way. Nell sadly passed away in 2019, but her vision of a village green, vintage circus lives on. As the sun dips behind the trees, the crowds gravitate towards the main tent, towards an evening of mysticism and fantasy; and a chance not just to watch or imagine, but a chance to be at the centre of it all.

The evening is packed full of highlights, a carnival of fun, silliness and breath-taking skill and enchantment. The irresistible Tweedy the Clown, a Giffords stalwart leads the evening – or rather makes a chaotic stab at it – with his mix of pranks and prowess. Nancy Trotter Landry conjures butterfly wings from her hoops, making it look so effortless, before breaking into song with her ethereal voice. Similarly, aerialist Lil Rice (Nell Gifford’s niece, and successor producer) soars with her voice as she takes flight and floats above us. The fairy dust is sprinkled thick and fast as the acts tumble, fly and leap into the ring: the New Revolution Troupe from Cuba, smiling insanely through their equally insane acrobatics, Jonny Grundy and Manuel Artino, dissolving into their aerial hoop as one; equestriennes Rebecca Musselwhite and Lotte Seal, and the unearthly Andrejs Fjodorous, conducting his flock of doves in an awe-inspiring choreographed routine.

The list goes on, and the spell remains unbroken – even through the moments of pure comedy. And talking dogs, horses, and a cake-loving dragon. And you thought unicorns were mythical? Think again!

The Giffords Circus Band, led by James Keay, underscore throughout and follow the action with precision timing; their melodic presence following us out into the twilight as the show comes to a close. We don’t want to leave, but we know we must. We have lived our childhood dreams of running away with the circus, if only for a couple of hours. ‘We have held the jewel of our childhood up to our eyes’, to paraphrase the late Nell Gifford.

Giffords Circus is that perfect haven, with its mix of spectacle and intimacy. And as we head back to reality, we are buoyed by the certainty that, like the moon and the stars, the circus will return to us, and we can escape once more. On our way home, we flick through the programme and come across a letter; a dedication from Lil Rice ‘for Nelly’.

“… As we rake up the sawdust and dance our final dance, we dance it for you dear Nell. We will dance on for you…”

Reviewed by Jonathan Evans

Photography by Andrew Rees

The Hooley

Chiswick House and Gardens until 11th July then tour continues around the UK until September. Visit www.giffordscircus.com for details

Previously reviewed by Joe this year:

Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Hung Parliament | ★★★★ | Online | February 2021

The Picture of Dorian Gray | ★★★★ | Online | March 2021

Bklyn The Musical | ★★★★★ | Online | March 2021

Remembering the Oscars | ★★★ | Online | March 2021

Disenchanted | ★★★ | Online | April 2021

Preludes in Concert | ★★★★★ | Online | May 2021

You Are Here | ★★★★ | Southwark Playhouse | May 2021

Abba Mania | ★★★★ | Shaftesbury Theatre | May 2021

Cruise | ★★★★★ | Duchess Theatre | May 2021

Amélie The Musical | ★★★★ | Criterion Theatre | June 2021

Forever Plaid | ★★★★ | Upstairs at the Gatehouse | June 2021

Forgetful Heart | ★★★★ | Online | June 2021

Express G&S | ★★★★ | Pleasance Theatre | June 2021

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★★★★

“Witnessing the performers having as much fun as we, the audience, created a special bond through the shared experience”

Giffords Circus was started in the Cotswolds in 2000 by Nell and Toti Gifford. Its latest production, Xanadu comes to Chiswick Park this summer. Directed by Cal McCrystal, Xanadu is an interpretation of the poem ‘Kubla Khan’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Written in 1797 and published in 1816, Kubla Khan is a dream-like, epically depicted verse, full of romanticism and beautiful imagery. Giffords Circus uses these themes and takes us down a rabbit hole, back in time, to a fantasy world full of peace and love.

On entry you’re greeted by the ornately costumed front of house and are lead into a wonderland adorned with fairy lights and flowers. There is a sense as though the circus has been waiting here, all along, just for you to arrive.

Food is on hand at the Circus Sauce Restaurant to munch on before descending into the Big Top where the audience are greeted by Tweedy and Mr Fips; a cheeky comedy duo often getting into trouble and roping the audience into their hilarious capers along the way.

Dressed as a glittering hippy master of ceremonies, Michael Fletcher guides the audience through a journey full of acrobatics, equestrian acts, aerial gymnastics and performances that are an awesome spectacle to see. All accompanied by the The Band, playing songs that transported us back to the decades of Woodstock and rock n roll.

There isn’t one act that could be singled out as a favourite. Each were incredible and utterly arresting in their own way. The commitment to present a show of pure quality is clear to see on the expressions of every participant. Their smiles and genuine laughter was very contagious. Witnessing the performers having as much fun as we, the audience, created a special bond through the shared experience. Moments like this are beautifully unique and unforgettable.

What makes this production special is the ambiance felt the moment you entered. The warmth and friendliness of everyone is palatable and guests are made to feel part of the Gifford family. McCrystal directs a show inspired by an 18th century poem and avoids making it feel abstract or esoteric. It respectfully nods to aspects of the poem and captures the reverie-like state, which perforates throughout the text. The result is a haven of joyful escapism. Psychedelic, magical mayhem filled with flower power, good vibes and unadulterated fun for all ages.

Reviewed by Pippin

Photography by Gem Hall

Tag Archives: Nell Gifford

The Hooley

★★★★★

Chiswick House and Gardens