The Hooley

FROM THE IMAGINATION OF NELL GIFFORD – DIRECTED BY CAL MCCRYSTAL & PRODUCED BY LIL RICE

A well-deserved standing ovation. After what has felt like the longest and strangest year, we finally felt a sense of normality. Giffords came back with a bang. Giffords Circus had originally planned to tour The Hooley in 2020, however, due to the pandemic and lockdown, it was postponed to this year. This performance envisioned Nell Giffords wild and colourful imagination and brought beaming smiles and laughter all around. As well as very sore and red hands from clapping for the whole two-hour show, with just a quick interval to buy a tote bag and a cider in typical Stroud fashion. 

The performance showed great resilience due to Covid and the ongoing setbacks, however, they exceeded all expectations and smashed it out of the tent. Fairies, trolls, pixies, leprechauns, horses, Celtic music, and dancing. What more could you ask for? And we can’t forget the incredible band! For me, they have always been the heart and the soul of the circus, with their amazing creativity and talent, and this year was no exception.

I have visited Giffords every single year since 2004 when I would have been 7. I’m now 23, yet I still get that childhood excitement and goose bumps every single year. Tweedy was on top form and all the performances were breath taking. The return of Nancy Trotter-Landry was very much welcomed, as she graced us with her humour and iconic facial expressions which tied the show together perfectly. Along with Lil Rice singing, dancing, performing, and everything in between. Every performance was truly unique with a lasting power that we will all remember for a lifetime. A particularly special moment was the subtle nod to Nell Gifford, with her horse being used throughout the show. It was as if she was there herself. The spirit and legend which is Nell Gifford will certainly be remembered for generations to come and I am so excited for what the next chapter of Giffords has in store.   

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get into Circus Sauce as it was sold out (which is no surprise), however, I will be cooking up a storm at home using the Gifford Circus Cook Book written by Nell Gifford and Head Chef Ols Halas. This extraordinary book celebrates the food that brings the circus and the audience together, with a variety of stories and recipes all photographed by the one and only David Loftus. And don’t worry, if you don’t manage to eat a rustic three main course after the performance, you can have your pick from a wide variety of other food, from pizza and hot dogs to candy floss, ice cream, and the iconic “Lolly”. 

Now, if you are worried about the pandemic affecting the performance you do not need to be. Regulations have been put into place for you to feel as comfortable as possible, from NHS track and trace, to hand sanitiser stations and social distancing seating. Even though the tent was not a full capacity because of these rules, it felt livelier than ever. 

I can’t thank the whole Giffords Circus team enough for making such a wonderful and positive impact in a world still full of restrictions.  

And to top it all off, there was a beautiful sunset that graced our presence. If you haven’t already I would highly recommend booking tickets and join The Hooley this year at Giffords Circus.