High Flyers
4 Dec 2024The Little Mermaid is creating some aerial magic thanks to Circus Director Holly Downey and our hugely talented cast. Let's take a look at the top ten productions at BOV where circus has added that extra sparkle to the stage!
The Little Mermaid (2024)
In order to create the magical effect of swimming Miranda and the team have called on the skills of circus director Holly Downey.
Liana Cottrill is playing our little mermaid and has been training every day with Holly to learn the skills and develop the strength needed to perform these magical moves for the entire run.
Waldos Circus of Magic and Terror (2023)
In 2023 we joined forces with the mighty Extraordinary Bodies and Theatre Royal Plymouth for a brand new musical.
Set in 1933 Brandenberg on the cusp of World War II, Waldo and his travelling circus of outcasts, acrobats and aerialists stay hidden beneath the painted on glamour of Waldo's big top.
Written by Hattie Naylor (Ivan and the Dogs, The Night Watch) and Jamie Beddard (Messiah, The Elephant Man) with an original score by Charles Hazlewood (Paraorchestra), it was a large-scale collaboration between D/deaf, disabled, and non-disabled artists and creators.
Peter Pan (2012)
Christmas 2012 was a record breaker and a visual delight for the families who came to see Sally Cookson's reimagining of Peter Pan. using ropes, harnesses and the counterweight of each other to fly and land with perfect timing, being able to see the harnesses juts added to the spectacle and wonder.
Nights at the Circus (2006)
In 2006, Kneehigh Theatre co-produced a stage adaptation of Angela Barrie's novel Nights at the Circus with the Lyric Hammersmith and BOV.
In the lead role of 'Fevvers' was Natalia Tena - best known for her role in Harry Potter as Nymphadora Tonks - who learned aerial skills for the role.
She was in safe hands as the actor playing opposite her was Gísli Örn Garðarsson, a former gymnast of the Icelandic, Norwegian, and Danish national teams!
Hetty Feather (2015)
Another Sally Cookson smash hit - Hetty Feather toured to Bristol Old Vic in 2015, with a special visit from author of the original books Jacqueline Wilson.
The production originally opened at Rose Theatre, Kingston in April 2014 before embarking on a UK tour. It then transferred to the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre. It was subsequently nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family and Entertainment Show.
The show was adapted by Emma Reeves and directed by Sally Cookson with Phoebe Thomas in the title role.
Under a Dark Moon (2014)
Bristol based Circus company The Invisible Circus took their own leap with this performance back in 2014.
Their natural territory was usually less traditional spaces but they joined forces with Bristol Old Vic to see what would happen if they tried something new.
They blended the storytelling of theatre with the physical skill and daring of circus and created "a celebration of life in all its perverse, ludicrous glory" according to one reviewer. It's 5 stars from us!
Tristan & Yseult (2005)
A Kneehigh favourite. This romantic tear-jerker used aerial work to swing the lovers through the air and over the audience to gasps of delight.
Tristan and Yseult was based on Cornwall's oldest and greatest story and tiptoed through love in all it's guises.
It first appeared on stage at Bristol Old Vic in Autumn 2005, with Tristan Sturrock and Eva Magyar in the title roles.
It was an instant hit and returned many times over the years with that special brand of Kneehigh magic.
Touching the Void (2018)
This was the first production to open the theatre after the 2018 refurbishment was completed.
Based on the 1988 survival book by Joe Simpson, recounting his and Simon Yates 's near fatal descent after climbing the 6,344-metre (20,814 ft) peak Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes.
It was adapted for BOV's stage by Tom Morris, with set design by Ti Green.
The dramatic moment at the end of Act 1 where Joe falls into the abyss was created through aerial work, produces gasps from the audience every night - and an adrenalin rush for the actor playing Joe!
Handel's Messiah (2013, 2017 and 2018)
As part of Bristol Proms 2013, Bristol Old Vic staged a dramatised production of Handel's Messiah created by Tom Morris with design by Anna Orton (King Lear). It featured internationally-renowned soloists Catherine Wyn Rogers and Julia Doyle, The Erebus Ensemble (Songs of Hope) and Europe's most celebrated Baroque orchestra The English Concert, under the revered baton of Conductor Harry Bicket.
Messiah returned to Bristol Old Vic in 2017 and was also screens in cinemas, following its sell-out debut at Bristol Proms in 2013.
Positioned between opera and theatre, this powerfully accessible interpretation of Handel’s seminal work explored the drama and struggle of faith.
The non-speaking role of The Leader was performed by different actors through the various version of the production - each actor was suspended over the stage to depict the moment of crucifixion.
250th Birthday Weekend (2016)
Nothing says 'celebration' quite like a street party and in Bristol that has to include circus performers.
Tightrope walkers, jugglers, acrobats and a danceathon brought King Street to life and the theatre building was opened up to the public to celebrate Bristol Old Vic reaching the record-breaking age of 250 years.
