The Revel Puck Circus Packs Five-Star Festivity in New Wintry Showcase
This December, The Revel Puck Circus is coming to Lewisham with its fantastic five-star winter showcase, The Wing Scuffle Spectacular, from December 15 until January 8, 2023. As a part of LIT!, the finale of Lewisham’s year as Mayor Sadiq Khan’s London Borough of Culture 2022, this astonishing production presents the brightest young talents of the London circus scene, promising to clear away all preconceptions of circus and welcome audiences into the world of the Revel Pucks. Audiences can expect to see a joyous and absurdist examination of fear, filled to the brim with home-grown talent and a diverse roster of artists showcasing an assortment of specialties.
The show has something for everyone, from shocking swinging chainsaws and astonishing acrobatics to a terrific teeterboard trio. Amongst the powerful performers featured are Canadian clown and acrobat Arielle Lauzon (La Galerie, Machine de Cirque; DREAM PARADE CHRISTIAN DIOR SS19 & Mimbre, Paris Fashion Week); aerial straps artist Imani Vital (Fools Delight Circus, Oxfordshire; Circus Flavours, Upswing); and the first teeterboard troupe to come from the National Centre for Circus Arts, Shane Hampden (KIN, Barely Methodical Troupe; One Young World, Royal Albert Hall), Sebastian Parker (One Young World, Royal Albert Hall), and Emily Lannigan (One Young World, Royal Albert Hall). Returning from the Edinburgh Fringe after performing with the Barely Methodical Troupe, BBC-featured acrobat Fiona Thornhill (Mimbre Acrobats Covid-19 Response Film, BBC; KIN, Barely Methodical Troupe) will be performing her astonishing solo Cyr Wheel act. Making her professional debut is cloud swing artist Annie Zita Bachman. Expect to see some excellent wire walking from Poppy Plowman (Gorilla Circus; Race Horse Company).
The Revel Puck Circus seeks to unite communities, providing them with a sense of escapism away from the business of pantomime performances this winter. They are proud to present their Wing Scuffle Spectacular with the support of The Arts Council England, Waltham Forest Council, and Footsbarn Theatre. Working in partnership with Lewisham London Borough of Culture 2022, the company aims to capture audience imaginations and create performances that unite and resonate with local communities.
Offering an alternative Winter Wonderland, every space at the Spectacular, from the bar tent to the Big Top, will be heated, and local food vendors will be situated around the site, presenting cosy tent spaces with warm winter cocktails, Christmas-themed popcorn, and mince pies. Local artists will be programmed across the event, and live music will be performed in the bar tent, surrounded by visual art from local artists displayed around the circus village.
Revel Puck Circus Artistic Director Luke Hallgarten comments, “Winter is our favourite season to put on a show! The spirit, the community atmosphere, and the magic of this time of year. We are so excited to welcome audiences to our alternative festive experience. Come and be warm and merry with the Revel Pucks! Come and drink a glass of mulled wine curated by local Lewisham artisans before heading into the cosy Big Top for a spectacular show from the very best of London’s contemporary circus talent!”
The Albany Creative Director Vicki Amedume likewise adds, “We’re so pleased to be working with The Revel Puck Circus to present this joyful show. The Wing Scuffle Spectacular offers a fresh perspective on a popular art form, with London communities at its heart. We look forward to welcoming audiences to Beckenham Place Park this December.”
You won’t want to miss out on this Spectacular show that has already received five-star ratings from Todo List, Bristol 24/7, and London Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from The Albany’s website. As well, over 500 £1 tickets will be available, targeted to low-income Lewisham families.
The Wing Scuffle Spectacular is the product of its creative staff and amazing artists:
Artistic Director Luke Hallgarten (he/him)
Production Manager Sorrelle Morris (she/her)
Producer Nix Pretlove (she/her)
Holland Rigging Team Jacob Hirsch (he/him)
Assistant Producer/Crew Casey Wray (she/her/they/them)
LX & Sound Operator Eloina Haines (she/her)
Head Rigger Rowan Virgo (he/him/they/them)
Stage Manager Debbie Porter (she/her)
Crew Thorne Bailey (he/him)
Crew Jo Howell (she/her)
Artist (Cloud Swing) Annie Zita Bachman (she/her)
Chef Matty Gannon Burns (he/him)
Bar Manager Georgina Walker (she/her)
Artist (wire walker) Poppy Plowman (she/her)
Artist (clown & acrobat) Arielle Lauzon (she/her)
Artist (Straps) Imani Vital (she/her)
Artist (Cyr Wheel) Fiona Thornhill (she/her)
Artist (Teeterboard) Sebastian Parker (they/them)
Artist (Teeterboard) Shane Hampden (he/him)
Artist (Teeterboard) Emily Lannigan (she/her)
We Are Lewisham, London Borough of Culture 2022
For more information, visit The Revel Puck Circus’ website.
All images are courtesy of Revel Puck, Photo @Tekla Scöz
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
🎧 Join us on the StageLync Podcast for inspiring stories from the world of performing arts! Tune in to hear from the creative minds who bring magic to life, both onstage and behind the scenes. 🎙️ 👉 Listen now!