Circus Sideshows

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.

12/03/2024

The Official Giraffe Racing Team...

We are World Famous for our herd of Racing Giraffes.

You and your guests or visitors are able to take on the role of Trainee Trainer and help prepare these athletic beasts for the forthcoming Giraffe Olympics.

Training runs and Racing Heats will be held throughout the day.

Typically, it is the younger members of the crowd who bag first go but they are soon usurped by ever ageing would be trainers and giraffe jockeys.

Full commentary is provided and trophies may be available.

Nobody is ever a loser as you will gain not only great pleasure & excitement but a zoological & conservational education as part of the experience.

Seeing these magnificent creatures racing through the countryside surely is a sight to see & cherish.

It has been noticed that at some races there have been wagers of up to a whole pound placed upon the winners. Will you make the leader board?

12/03/2024

Rookman Swindler & Co
present the
Extraordinary Elixir Show...

(including our Child Taming While-U-Wait)

An historical homage to the Montebanks of old who frequented Fairs & Marketplaces throughout the land providing Treatments, Ointments, Salves and Potions to Royalty and Peasants alike.

We not only present The Extraordinary Elixir but proceed to demonstrate its incredible attributes as the claims mount.

Almost everything is not only scientifically proven but we also have pseudo-science on our side. You will see, hear and maybe even feel the powers of this amazing substance and we intend for you to leave thoroughly enlightened as well as headukated and feeling happier.

This really is something you need to experience to believe and appreciate.

Lots of audience interaction and involvement.

The show often includes (at no extra charge and almost free) our World Famous Child Taming Act. A feral creature will be extracted from the baying crowd and rendered totally tame without the administration of mesmerism, electrickery or excessively heavy objects. All while you wait.
Training workshops for Parents and Teachers are currently booked solid for several years but you can see one or more of our patent techniques upon booking this show.

12/03/2024

The Giant Flea Circus

The Mitey Show everyone is itching to see.
As performed to the Crowned Heads of Europe.

Witness Tightrope Walking, Trapeze, Juggling and Stupendous Feats of Strength.
Marvel at the Daring Exploits of these miniscule performers.
Learn about their Natural History & Backstage Training methods.
Wonder as you watch a rarely seen vestige of our sideshow heritage.
Laugh at the antics of these amazing performers.

We are able to offer our Travelling Flea Circus and THE GIANT FLEA CIRCUS
both have a full retinue of Circus Stars and stupendous Acts.

Plenty of Audience Involvement.
Please do not bring your own Fleas or Nits.
Guide Dogs WELCOME.

12/03/2024

Bunco Booth (Beat the Cheat)
Heads I Win - Tails You Lose

Played purely for Fun... and maybe some sweets or small prizes...

Games of 'chance' as you attempt to Beat The Cheat
A mix of Street Hustles, Cons and Ruses fused with elements of Skullduggery and Subterfuge.

UNfairground Games, Logic Puzzles, Challenges and Things to make you Think.

Suitable for Children or Adults
We change the games or rules to suit the occasion.

12/03/2024

Want something extra special to your event?
Want something Unusual, Unique, Quirky or Different?
Want something professional and High Quality?

We are the robots, err, people you have been looking for. :)

SPECTACULAR, attention grabbing and Beautiful.

BIGBubbles - Indoor & Outdoor Displays & Workshops
(for Children AND Adults)

Bubble Clouds
Bubble Photo Booth
Super Slip & Slide

Displays
Workshops
Educational Visits (Schools & Colleges)
Bubble Workstations - Experiment & Make Your Own!
Sensory Sessions
Wellbeing & Mental Health

Triple Guinness World Record Holder
AOIBA Member (The Assoc for Top Professional Bubble Artists)
Luxury Gala & Prestigious Events to Massive Festivals
Theatre Shows..also Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings and Memorials.

Mega-sized Bubbles
Hundreds - Thousands - Millions of BIGBubbles launched at once
Bubble Sculptures
Cube Shaped Bubbles!
Fun with Foam
Steam-Powered Bubbles
Exploding Bubbles
UV and Laser Bubbles ..and loads more...

Most people can blow a bubble but you've seen nothing until you've experienced our BIGBubbles produced by one of the World's Leading Bubbleologists.

Suitable for all ages; even teenagers! Bubbles are not just for kids.

Let us teach you a few Secrets & Tricks. The reaction from audiences and crowds is always phenomenal particularly when we do mass launches. Loads of screaming, laughing kids chasing and bursting BIGBubbles to oohs and arrs from the slightly more mature as the BIGBubbles float on by.

Around 90% of our bookings are repeat or direct referrals. You get a proper professional and top class reliable service.

Everything is covered by PLI and Risk Assessed.
Enhanced DBS Checked.
Full Equity Member.

ALL of our activities are immersive and designed to engage with and involve audiences. We like them to be part of the fun rather than merely passively watching it.

Feel free to call and discuss what you'd like or ask for further details. Our aim is to ensure clients get exactly what they want and need; attracting & retaining visitors by providing Unusual & Unique Quality entertainment and unforgettable fun remembered & talked about for a very long time.

12/03/2024

09/03/2024

If you want to add a professional bizarre/seance performer or sideshow acts into your mix; give me a shout.

Weird, Strange, Spooky, Supernatural and Scary tales and demonstrations adaptable to family through to strictly adult audiences.

Audiences are guaranteed involvement and will remember and talk about their experience for a very long time.

18/12/2023

Leanne Hinchcliffe
I would just like to say this gentleman was absolutely heart warning and amazing he’s the best Santa I’ve seen and heard by far he interacted with my children amazing they certainly thought he was the real deal and their eyes lit up.. what a lovely fella thank you so much for making my kiddies day xx

Abi Anderson
You performed brilliantly! So clever. Above and beyond what other santas do and we will be booking you always in future.

A handful of Home Visits are still available and bookings for next year already being taken.

18/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=361259926590522

I didn't organise this but it is a good excuse to remind everyone that I Create, Produce and Direct unique Installations as well as all huge variety of arts, activities and entertainments available via The Circus SIdeshows and WorkhouseArts.

From something small for two through to 100's of thousands.

Give me a shout and see what I can add to your events in 2024 and 2025.

14/12/2023

My herd of Racing Giraffes from The Circus Sideshows Incredible Menagerie have been spotted...

The OFFICAL Giraffe Racing Team ARE available to hire for fun events.

In 2024 they will be back following extensive 'veterinary' work, with new jockeys and vastly improved training regime.

Available standalone or accompanied by others from The Incredible Menagerie where you will be able to see, amongst many other wonders and zoological marvels...

Giant Bats of the World
Actual Flea Circus
Dobbin the Six-Legged Horse
Baby Crocs
Massive Boas
and many other dangerous & exotic beasts.

BOOK NOW

13/12/2023

Teesside, Co Durham, N Yorks

Magical Santa Home Visits

We have a special hotline to the North Pole and have been told that Father Christmas may be able to squeeze in a few more special visits before the big day.

Parents and Grandparents etc can contact Iain J. to check the diary.

Professional Magic Santa
Real Beard
Public Liability Insurance
Risk Assessed
DBS
Equity Member

13/12/2023

TEESSIDE, Co Durham, N Yorks

Santa Home Visits

02/12/2023

I took my "Christmas Boxes" presentation to Beamish last night and it was a wonderful and amazing success.

Guests are able to select from a table amassed with lots of parcels, gift boxes, festive packages and curious old boxes.

Their selections lead them into different pieces of magic and marvellous curiosities. Fortunately most of the children evaded taking home lumps of coal and my Christmas Treats hamper (another box) was somewhat depleted. 😃

Well done to my Victorian elves, J & C, who conducted highly scientific testing to determine who was on the Good or Naughty Lists and how big a present they should expect on Christmas Day.

Response from the families and adult participants was amazing with huge smiles, laughter and loads of thank yous.

This was a slight departure from our usual offerings so I was really pleased that it was so well received and worked so well.

Fortunately, we were able to position ourselves not too far from a blazing fire. The snow outside looks so much better when you're inside nice and warm. 🙂

25/11/2023

My Santa visits are Risk Assessed and Insured.

23/11/2023

Rehearsals tomorrow for something a little bit special for those lucky enough to have tickets for Beamish Christmas Nights.
That is a secret surprise.

I may however be there earlier in the day(s) with some extra fun for those who missed out on tickets or simply prefer the daytime experience.

23/11/2023

Always nice to have a great set to work with...

Watch how we built a wooden replica of this epic steam locomotive---- Each Christmas Full Sail University puts on a holiday event for all of the staff and th...