Britain’s newest Circus Company, Chaplin’s Circus is the brainchild of three entertainers with decades of experience in the world of performance. Their aim is simple – to provide their audience with a brand new, unique circus show as well as a host of other, community based offers to create a rounded, family friendly experience. In addition to their spellbinding circus show, Chaplin’s Circus also offers not-for-profit circus skills workshops for local children as well as partnerships with animal welfare charities thanks to their strict ‘No Circus Animals’ policy.
The Show
Based on a unique concept, Chaplin’s Circus show goes far beyond the usual collection of magic, juggling and acrobatics, weaving their astounding acts into an involving, pantomime-like narrative set in the 1920s.
Taking the audience back to 1924, the show tells the story of a Chaplin’s Circus who have asked aviator Orville Wright to save their ailing fortunes by creating the world’s first ‘Human Cannonball’. With the big top rammed full and an audience ready to see the premiere of the new attraction, the excitement backstage in tangible. Everything rides on the success of this first performance. But, lurking in the shadows is a man who will do anything to ensure the circus fails.
In an era where professional rivalry runs rife, sabotage looms around every corner. Will Chaplin’s Circus survive the dark intentions of those who want to see them fall? You can find out in this unique, edge of your seat show.
Circus Skills Workshops
With their show travelling the length and breadth of the UK, Chaplin’s Circus don’t just want to entertain their audience, they want to teach them too.
In each area they visit, the circus company will be offering not-for-profit workshops to teach local children some of their circus skills, from juggling clubs to basic acrobatics – and maybe even a magic trick or two.
The family friendly ethos continues into the show content. In addition to the decision not to use animals in their show, Chaplin’s Circus has also seen recent research suggesting that a high proportion of people find clowns inherently frightening. As a result, there will be no clowns included in the show either.
The return of The Human Cannonball
It’s been many years since the UK has seen The Human Cannonball in the flesh, and Chaplin’s Circus are bringing it back as the spectacular finale to their innovative show.
In order to allow for the high flying close to the show, the Chaplin’s big top is particularly big – one of the largest circus tents in the UK in fact!
The Founders of Chaplin’s Circus
Chaplin’s is founded on the experience of three veteran entertainers who’ve come together to create this one of a kind circus experience. Meet the founders:
Charlie Pakdel: An award winning Charlie Chaplin imitator with over 50 years in the entertainment, Charlie is a seasoned entertainer whose performance experience has seen him work all over the world and teach at prestigious schools like the Pineapple Dance Studios – where one of his students was none other than Wayne Sleep. Recognised as perhaps the foremost Charlie Chaplin imitator in the world, he was chosen by Madame Tussauds as the model for their Chaplin waxwork. In fact, his portrayal is described by Geraldine Chaplin – Charlie Chaplin’s daughter – as the most accurate in the business, and admits her children even call him ‘Grandad’!
Mark Foot: After joining the circus at the age of eight, Mark learned his craft as a juggler, magician and, ultimately, a ring master. Since retiring from the ring at the tender age of 19, he went on to become Creative Director at the London Bridge Experience – a scare attraction in the vaults below London Bridge. At 22 Mark set up an events company, Hocus Pocus, which provides seasonal entertainment to approximately 75% of the shopping centres across the UK. He is also Director at Scarenation Ltd., a scare attraction currently in its third year.
Gary Stocker: After becoming a Covent Garden street performer at 15, Gary went on to study at Oxford University and emerged with a Law Degree. Since then, he has juggled his performance career with the running of number of successful commercial ventures. A member of the Magic Circle, he is credited with the invention of a number of illusions – including the Human Cannonball illusion which was recently performed by Sweden’s Got Talent winner Charlie Caper, on Sweden’s version of the hit BBC series ‘The Magicians’.
For more information on Chaplin’s Circus please visit http://www.chaplinscircus.com. For Press please contact vicky@quitegreat.co.uk or call 01223 844 440
