With Baroque inspired 'Any Port In A Storm'

Giffords Circus sails into town this June and is set to cause a storm with this year’s spellbinding show, Any Port In A Storm.

The unique baroque inspired show arrives in London on the 29th June at Chiswick House and Gardens and will amaze audiences with performances that ooze drama, exuberance and style.

Inspired by the paintings of Diego Velasquez, Any Port In A Storm is set in the Spanish court of King Philip IV in the 17th Century. Household favourite, Tweedy the clown, is at odds with the court sovereign Philip IV, played by little man David Pillukat. The high formality and strict etiquette of the court is established through a series of equestrian and gymnastic vignettes. In the second half, the lord of misrule, Tweedy corrupts the court order and plays out a Tempest inspired Masque, a riot of grotesque puppets, shifting liquid scenery and dwarf ponies. The sovereign’s gymnasts retaliate with a dynamic acrobat swing routine and the precarious equilibrium of the court is restored. In a moment of allowed transgression the paupers dance with the princes in a celebratory finale.

Nell Gifford, co-founder and co-producer of Giffords Circus with husband Toti, said: “Each year we push ourselves to go bigger and better than ever before and this year is no different. We’ve welcomed back old friends to the Giffords Circus family and made new ones and they’re all exceptionally talented artistes and performers.”

Award winning screen and stage director, Cal McCrystal, returns for his sixth consecutive year to direct Any Port In A Storm which features spine-tingling performances from an international team including a Cuban acrobatic troupe who play the king’s troupe of courtier acrobats, Russian gymnast Sergii Poliakov, an Italian juggler, a Spanish comedy duo, a Hungarian Csikos rider and a Ukranian flyer. A live band, selected by master musical director James Keay, will accompany this performance and the musical theme is Baroque and Rock Baroque.

Touring with the circus is the UK’s only travelling restaurant Circus Sauce, a 60 seat magical dining experience like no other. Headed up by Chef Ollie Halas and his dedicated team, the menu consists of modern British classics, served in three-courses. Diners are surrounded by Giffords Circus tapestries and circus props and the tent is illuminated by candle light. Long oak tables with jugs of hedgerow flowers are then laden with large Emma Bridgewater platters piled high with a feast of the most delicious dishes for diners to share.

A typical menu may include stuffed field mushrooms, dressed crab, treacle cured sirloin, West Country cassoulet, baked suet apples and lemon tea posset. The restaurant is incredibly popular and often sells out so booking in advance is essential. Something that Ollie and his team are passionate about is the ingredients. Wherever possible they are sourced from farms, farmers’ markets and villages that the tour passes through, and even foraged to create the most delicious, freshest and seasonal dishes possible.

This passion for produce has inspired a brand new food concept for Chef Ollie and his team and 2017 sees the introduction of Field Food; a unique idea that serves dishes directly inspired by the fields and hedgerows that they pass on their tour. Field Food will occupy a brand new wagon and will be available throughout the day. Ollie and his team will forage locally from farms, fields and farmers markets wherever Giffords Circus performs to create this new style of fare.

Ollie said: “With our new wagon, we’re able to offer something completely new: Field Food, with a goal to support local businesses around us and exploit the wonderful produce we have available along our way. The food has to be seasonal and fresh and as we’re touring through some of the most bountiful areas of the UK, this won’t be an issue. Whilst Circus Sauce will continue to serve up popular British classics, Field Food will provide different options for people to experience. We’re looking forward to welcoming guests both old and new and would like to thank all our diners for their continued support.”

From its own burgundy Showmans wagon, Field Food is served throughout the day, as well as opening before the shows at weekends. Afternoon and Evening menu choices include delicacies such as braised brisket buns, Asian ‘slaw, deep fried courgettes and lamb bruschetta or pork belly bap with rhubarb and watercress, braised beef, horseradish, beetroot and fennel bap and a tempura of vegetables with tomato and chilli salsa. Weekend visitors can stave off rumbling tummies before the show with crispy bacon sandwiches or healthier options like granola and yoghurt.

The London leg of the Giffords Circus 2017 summer tour, Any Port In A Storm, opens at Chiswick House & Gardens on Thursday 29th June. Tickets are priced from £27 for adults and from £17 for children. Children’s tickets are valid for those aged 3-14 years, children aged 3 and under go free if sitting on a lap. Full ticket pricing can also be found on the Giffords Circus website.

Tickets to Any Port In A Storm are on sale now and can be purchased from the Giffords Circus website at www.giffordscircus.com or Box Office on 0845 459 7469.
Places for Circus Sauce can also be booked through the website and Box Office.

Giffords Circus’ unique 60 cover restaurant Circus Sauce, the UK’s only travelling restaurant, will also be onsite for circus goers wanting a dining experience like no other. A three-course meal is priced from £35 for adults and from £25 for children aged 14 and under. Circus Sauce is not a licensed restaurant and diners are invited to bring their own drinks, including alcohol.

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June 14, 2017