On the eve of the Brighton Fringe, new venue The Circus Yard opened its doors for a Gala Night and Opening Party where audiences could preview some of the performances coming up in the next month.
Read more: Revel Puck Circus Brings The Circus Yard to Brighton Fringe
The Level in the centre of Brighton has been transformed into The Circus Yard by Revel Puck Circus and will host more than 30 circus and cabaret shows across Big Puck, which seats 500, and Little Puck, which seats 200.
On Thursday, May 1, the opening show in Big Puck was a vibrant celebration of the circus on offer for the Brighton Fringe, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Revel Puck Circus’s sparkling acrobat ‘Nancy’ hosted the gala evening. Nancy is also hosting one of Revel Puck’s flagship shows: The Ruckus from May 16 to June 1 in Little Puck.
One Two Many Collective from Hungary began the showcase with audience participation and torches. My friend took part and loved it, as did other brave audience members. A performing duo from the cast captivated the audience with their creativity and skill. Their show InThisTogether is billed as “Choose to share trust, risk, and responsibility in a unique, collaborative circus experience – or simply watch it unfold”. Performances take place from May 14 to 23 in Big Puck.
Up next was the incredible Kiki LaHula, who is Brighton-based and wowwed the crowd with her rollerskating and hula hooping skills. Neon Sun Roller Circus takes place in Big Puck from May 24 to May 26.
Collectif and Then were full of surprises, popping out of tiny big tops and making the audience hoot with laughter with their fun offering and jazzy trainers. The Greatest Show on Earth will be at The Circus Yard from May 16 to 18 and May 29 to 31.
Revel Puck’s Thorne Bailey and Arielle (aka Nancy) delighted with their balloon tricks. Another flagship show at The Circus Yard is The Ugly Duckling: “a reimagining if the classic take with an inclusive twist” from May 16 to June 1.
Scratch That Collective, three recent graduates from the National Centre of Circus Arts, demonstrated their strength and skill at the gala night. Their show Scratch That Cabaret takes place May 21 to 26.
An absolute highlight of the evening was Miss Lucinda B. Hind, whose show She’s B.Hind You promises a dazzling tribute to icons past and present from May 28 to May 29 in Big Puck.
One of the performers from Behemoth demonstrated her juggling skills (Including her feet!). Behemoth runs at Big Puck from May 2 to 5.
Fan favourite United Queendom are returning to Brighton Fringe with their show Smooch, which I loved last year. At The Circus Yard’s gala night, the ultimate circus showgirl Force Majeure demonstrated her strength and dexterity in a fun way. Smooch! takes place May 28 to 31 in Big Puck at The Circus Yard.
Fiona Thornhill and Thorne Bailey rounded the evening off with a sensational preview of The Nose Dive Assembly, Revel Puck’s other headline show, which takes place in Big Puck between May 2 and June 1.
The Circus Yard opens at 11am every day of the Fringe and has a covered bar area with food and drink. It’s great to see Brighton come alive this May. I’m looking forward to plenty of shows at The Circus Yard. Check out the full programme via Revel Puck Circus’s website below.
Address: The Level
Website: https://www.revelpuckcircus.com/
