Well we may be saying a goodbye to the little big top.... but I'm sure it's not the last you will see of the Fred's Flying Circus duo!
We are now back at circus headquarters, unpacking our trunks and getting used to sleeping indoors, carpets and running water!
It was a truly amazing last week of our 'little' Big Top tour this year which started last Saturday at Shoreham-by-sea. A really lovely time we had helping the school with their annual summer fair - the big top put up in the morning, 2 shows to amaze and amuse and then a take-down at the end of the day. Thank you to all the brilliant helpers and audiences!
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| The Circus crowd at East Grinstead |
Sunday we were up early and off to East Grinstead where we were met by a fabulous team of helpers and a HUGE tray of bacon butties!!!! (now THAT's what I'm talking about!!!). During the afternoon we put on 2 shows to a packed big top and then Monday we stayed on to give the whole school the chance to try their hand at circus skills.
Monday night we were back home and just enough time to pack ready for our final school of the year over in Essex.
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| Fred and Chi Chi joined by Zaz |
We visited Giffards school last year and we're SOOO happy to be asked back again. For the next 3 days we worked with a different group of children and each night there was a show. Again we had a packed house every night - helped enormously by the many colourful posters that the children had designed and hand drawn all around the school and displayed on the school gates (see my previous post). We were also joined by Zaz the clown who is all set to take over the big top from April next year. He came along to learn the ropes of putting up the big top and also gave us a hand entertaining the masses... thanks Zaz!!!
The most exciting news for Chi Chi was the arrival of her brand new LED hula hoop. She couldn't wait until it was dark to try it out and I got all arty with some long exposures on the camera...
Friday night was the last show - a very strange feeling for us all - especially Fred and Chi Chi who had been touring in the tent for the last 8 years. Both Fred and Chi Chi pulled out all the stops and the show was AMAZING!!! (Fred was particularly funny with his cups and balls routine and I'm sure the woman sitting next to me was in danger of wetting herself). It's such a special thing to see Fred and Chi Chi on stage together - and especially in their little big top which we all fell in love with the first time it went up many years ago...
Here are some photos from the final show...
I'll be back with news and gossip of their latest projects... including details of their circus workshops and shows without the big top... so watch this space!
Thank you to everyone who has booked us, helped us or come to see the shows in our 'little' Big Top over the years - you've all made it a truly magical experience.
Toodly pip for now (sniff, sniff)
Mrs Fred xxx
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| A Fred and Chi Chi pre show hug |
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| All set up and ready to go! |
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| Zaz and his hats! |
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| Fred and his bottle balancing |
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| the juggooping Chi Chi |
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| Chi Chi getting the feet into gear and Fred checking the safety of the chairs |
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| Great signs the kids made for Freds chair |
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| And Chi Chi's chair |
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| And another one for Fred! |
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| The Giffards children and teachers surprised us all with a bunch of flowers, big cake (complete with big top on the top and a huge card made by the kids... Fred must have got a fly in his eye! |
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| xxx |
