For next winter 2012 we are offering one day courses at Folly Farm. This is a chance to visit our magnificent purpose built Cotswold barns and to discover and take part in some of the processes that go towards making a circus. The courses will be held in our main rehearsal barn in front of a blazing fire, and will all include a delicious seasonal lunch and a chance to meet our animals.
There are morning talks with Nell. She will show you the costumes, the designs and the thinking behind the shows, and will demonstrate how some of the horses are trained. For the adventurous there is an equestrian circus skills workshop where you will get to ride one of our circus horses. Legends of the music hall stage Barry and Joan Grantham are doing a one day workshop in eccentric dance. Suitable for all ages and abilities you will find yourself moving and dancing in a way you had never thought possible, and laughing a lot. Led by our Circus Sauce chefs there are also cooking workshops in cider bread and chutney making, seasonal Christmas game and festive sweet preparations.
The dates are as follows and a 50% deposit secures the booking.
Call 01451 820378 for more details and to book.
There are morning talks with Nell. She will show you the costumes, the designs and the thinking behind the shows, and will demonstrate how some of the horses are trained. For the adventurous there is an equestrian circus skills workshop where you will get to ride one of our circus horses. Legends of the music hall stage Barry and Joan Grantham are doing a one day workshop in eccentric dance. Suitable for all ages and abilities you will find yourself moving and dancing in a way you had never thought possible, and laughing a lot. Led by our Circus Sauce chefs there are also cooking workshops in cider bread and chutney making, seasonal Christmas game and festive sweet preparations.
The dates are as follows and a 50% deposit secures the booking.
Call 01451 820378 for more details and to book.
Biographies:
Nell Gifford needs no introduction. Co-founder and executive producer of Giffords Circus, Nell's life and dream either side of her degree in English Literature from New College, Oxford has been the circus. She has worked on Circus Flora in the USA, Santus Circus, Chinese State Circus, Bobby Roberts Super Circus and Circus Roncalli. Nell has written two books, Josser (about the secret life of a circus girl) and a children's biography on the inventor of the circus, Philip Astley. In 2007 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the University of Gloucestershire and in 2010 was awarded the inaugural 'Maverick Award' by Groucho Club, London.
Barry Grantham is a comedic dance expert and a complete legend in his field. Performer, director, teacher and principal British exponent. He has performed and given master classes in Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Italy itself at the Teatro Municipiali, Regio Emilia. Recently he has appeared at the Royal Opera House and at Glyndbourne and worked with the Royal Skakespeare Company. He is the author of two books on the subject: Playing Commedia and Commedia Plays.
Shane and Maisie Bagley have worked as chefs and hosts all over the world. Chef Shane Bagley, from San Diego, California creates the most incredibly tasty meals night after night for our starlit and sumptuous travelling restaurant Circus Sauce, cleverly collecting fresh and local ingredients along the tour path.
Shane's wife, Maisie is a childhood friend of Nell. It was for Maisies 10th birthday party that Nell was asked to create a Circus Party - an early manifestation of Giffords Circus.
Nell Gifford needs no introduction. Co-founder and executive producer of Giffords Circus, Nell's life and dream either side of her degree in English Literature from New College, Oxford has been the circus. She has worked on Circus Flora in the USA, Santus Circus, Chinese State Circus, Bobby Roberts Super Circus and Circus Roncalli. Nell has written two books, Josser (about the secret life of a circus girl) and a children's biography on the inventor of the circus, Philip Astley. In 2007 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the University of Gloucestershire and in 2010 was awarded the inaugural 'Maverick Award' by Groucho Club, London.
Barry Grantham is a comedic dance expert and a complete legend in his field. Performer, director, teacher and principal British exponent. He has performed and given master classes in Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Italy itself at the Teatro Municipiali, Regio Emilia. Recently he has appeared at the Royal Opera House and at Glyndbourne and worked with the Royal Skakespeare Company. He is the author of two books on the subject: Playing Commedia and Commedia Plays.
Shane and Maisie Bagley have worked as chefs and hosts all over the world. Chef Shane Bagley, from San Diego, California creates the most incredibly tasty meals night after night for our starlit and sumptuous travelling restaurant Circus Sauce, cleverly collecting fresh and local ingredients along the tour path.
Shane's wife, Maisie is a childhood friend of Nell. It was for Maisies 10th birthday party that Nell was asked to create a Circus Party - an early manifestation of Giffords Circus.
