Giffords Circus - Laguna Bay
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this latest offering from Giffords Circus brings joy and nostalgic magic, in a 1950s American beach resort, complete with an ice cream parlour, Teddy boys and some great music, thrills, and laughter.
This circus, is nestled in the fabulous grounds of Blenheim Palace, near the Pleasure Gardens. In the glorious spring sunshine, this was a proper treat. Beforehand, we treated ourselves to a drink and a very decent hot dog, and milled around outside the tent, listening to the musicians, and people watching. Blenheim is constantly trying new innovative things, and shows such as this, are an example of them bringing in families and keeping it fresh.
One of the loveliest sights was at the end of the evening, leaving the Big Tent and seeing the sunset in between the tents and Circus wagons…it was absolutely stunning.
I’ve never seen Gifford’s Circus. I’m not sure how I missed its frequent trips around Oxfordshire, especially when my daughter was little. And now I’m sad about that! I thought I wasn’t a circus fan, but this was something else, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for young and old!
As you enter the Big Tent, you are met with stunning blues and pinks, and are in no doubt of what era you are in. Designer Takis and the team have gone to town, with the neon lighting, ice cream bar, and beach scene. The music, performed live on stage by house band the Semitones, is infectious. As you enter the tent, there is the soundtrack of those 50s movies, and you know you are in for something different, for a circus. Once the show starts, the live vocals from Mikey Fletcher and Nell O’Hara are spot on! But as well as being good singers, they are charismatic and funny.
First onstage is resident clown Tweedy, who makes a comical deck chair routine seem effortless. His pursuit of an ice cream becomes a key theme of the show.
The circus thrills come from the amazing Garcia Family, firstly young heartthrobs Antonio and Connor whose acrobatic routine, which involves a hoverboard, is extremely well done. However, their parents Pablo and Vikki are not to be upstaged, and their spectacular plane sequence is daring, clever and funny.
The rest of the cast are fun and energetic: there’s old school magic from Maxi and Los Rivelinos’ messy act is worth waiting for; and the Etho-Salem troupe bring high-energy. There is also a stunning hair hang act from Daniela & Noémi.
The group numbers bring the whole cast together, including a fun finale. There is such a fun soundtrack including Teenager in Love, Come Fly With Me, Reet Petite and Mack the Knife, and the band and the singing, often in full rockabilly mode, was really very good.
I have recommended this to friends with children, and my parents…it says it all…this is a fun show for kids of all ages!
Gifford’s make their way nearer to London over the coming months (Chiswick House, 5-22 June), but in the meantime catch them at various locations across Wilthire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
This show was reviewed on the 22nd May 2025 at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire where it runs until the 2nd June 2025. To see further dates/locations and to purchase tickets please visit: Giffords Circus | Experience the magic of Giffords Circus
Review written by Ruth Hawkins
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Photo credit: Ruth Hawkins
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