EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A dynamic and ambitious theatre performance and community project, Magic Circus Show features actors, circus performers , and a live rock band led by protagonist and singer/musician, The Fuze.

With funding from Arts Council England (ACE), developed in partnership with Haringey Shed Inclusive Theatre School, Magic Circus Show (workshop version) was likened to a rock opera or musical during performances in 2021.

Now, a professional version of the show is in production, with plans to tour regional theatres in deprived areas. A showcase will be held for ACE, and to attract producers and other theatre professionals. Simultaneously, young people from local deprived areas will be offered circus workshops and also the opportunity to appear in the performance itself.

Amazing circus skills run parallel with heartfelt and humorous storytelling, driven along by catchy uplifting songs played live by The Fuze and his Good Life Orchestra. (Audience participation is strongly encouraged!)

Co-director Marta Carvalho and co-producer Mariana Pires (both Portuguese) support director /producer /musical director Fuze with the production and assist with making connections for community inclusion.

We have plans to take the show and community project on a tour of regional theatres. Mariana Pires has already taken shows to Portugal and we will also look to take MCS there (Theatre Favo Des Artes) as well as to other countries. We would eventually like to take the show to the West End.

THE VISION

Magic Circus Show tells the story of a girl called Jeanie, a carer, who looks after her Grandfather. Her dream is to become a professional juggler (Jeanie The Juggler).

The show recounts how, when a television talent show sucks creativity out of its contestants in an exploitative fashion, Jeanie the Juggler frees herself from the fickle clutches of that world to become part of a real-life show.

This is a unique experience. My aim is to connect with young people and family audiences, working within the local community and enabling young people to have an immersive multi-discipline experience. They almost certainly won’t have had the opportunity to engage with a live rock band performing within a theatre narrative featuring circus performers!

Jeanie is played by actor/juggler Courtney Clowes from Blackpool.

"You can achieve

what you want,

but it takes work"

COMPLETED PILOT VERSION


In 2021 Haringey Shed Theatre received Arts Council funding to turn the draft script and collection of original songs into a very real live experience.

A talented ensemble of young people and volunteers from Haringey Shed Inclusive Theatre played character parts along with a selection of dazzling Circus performers and The Fuze and his band. The resulting show was a resounding success.

This early version of Magic Circus Show was performed at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre (a 350 seat theatre in Seven Sisters, London).

We now want to create a professional version of MCS with a view to touring the production, whilst running a community project locally in each place, alongside.