Swindon is set to be dazzled this Bank Holiday Monday with the arrival of the inaugural Swindon Circus Festival. The all-day event, organised by the Swindon Circus and Outdoor Arts Project (SCOAP), promises a spectacular display of acrobatics, comedy, and aerial arts.
Jacob Hirsch-Holland, the festival producer, is brimming with excitement. “We’ve got some fantastic shows and workshops lined up. You won’t have seen anything like this in Swindon before. It’s a great opportunity to experience high-quality circus performances from all over the place right here in Swindon.”
The festival is expected to attract around 300 people, based on similar events previously run by Jacob, including a successful circus day at Lydiard Park in 2019. The day’s line-up includes shows in circus tents, a comic show titled ‘Fail Fail Fail Fail Win’, dance theatre from Hello Buoys, and cabaret by international performers.
For those keen to try their hand at circus skills, there will be a variety of workshops, including parkour and juggling classes. And for those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the spectacle, there will be plenty of outdoor space to relax in, with music from Suitcase Sound and local food options to keep the good vibes flowing.
The festival coincides with the first day of the Swindon Festival of Literature, and the two events are collaborating to bring circus acts to some of the Literature Festival’s calendar events.
The event operates on a pay-as-you-feel basis, with a suggested donation of up to £15. Jacob explains, “Our main drive for this project is to bring high-quality circus and outdoor arts to the town in a way that is as accessible as possible. We really don’t want people’s financial situations to prevent them from having the opportunity to enjoy outdoor art.”
The Swindon Circus Festival will be held in Old Town’s Lawn Woods on Monday, May 6 from 10am to 6pm. Come along and experience the magic of the circus!
Image credit: SCOAP
