FARMYARD CIRCUS

A warm and cheery, family-friendly, farm-life inspired circus spectacle. The Farm Yard Circus comprises group acrobatics, juggling, theatre, and live music. Expect a bewildering display of group acrobatics and juggling using hay bales, wheelbarrows, a tractor tyre, and even an old scarecrow!

BIG RORY AND CO - THE SEAGULLS

These cheeky sea birds have had audiences in a flap all over the world. Giant cheeky gulls with working beaks, they’ll rummage in bags and pockets, steal food from plates and picnic baskets, squabble amongst themselves and generally cause mayhem.

BUREAU OF SILLY IDEAS - THE CAMPAIGN FOR CUSTARD PIES
All day throughout the festival
The Great Pie Off 4.45pm in the Big Top

Did you know Pie Throwing was the original Olym-pie-c sport!

Since 2008 Bureau Of Silly Ideas have been keeping the art of pie throwing alive. The Campaign For Custard Pies has received the support of over 150,000 signatories and boasts an elite team of champion trainers.

Throw your best custard pie for a spot in the Great Pie-Off at the end of the festival!

MARKMARK - THE MANIAX

A spectacle of stunning street performance! Twice winners of the prestigious ‘Street Show of The Year’ award, this is a hilarious, spectacular comedy performance that always pulls huge crowds. Based on an amazing Houdini style escape, the show is packed with stunts, illusions and great comic routines.

CIRCADIAN PRESENTS THE FIREFIGHTERS

Always on call and equipped with a 10ft ladder & Firemen’s pole, the Firemen truly have all the gear but no idea!

A hilarious walkabout packed with live acrobatics, comedy and slapstick humour!

CHRIS MAYNE’S BUBBLES | FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Friday 25th August (evening)

Giant bubbles, magic and delightful illusions. Children simply love him, it’s almost like he’s one of them, perhaps he is the real Peter pan. His versatility will amaze the parents and keep the kids spellbound.

THE GUARDSMEN | BRIGHTLINGSEA FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Saturday 5th August

The Guardsmen march and perform drills that involve cleaning up the public with feather dusters on the end of extra-long poles.

They were a hit on French TV when they performed a salute by presenting arms to the President and surprised everyone by polishing the Mayor of Bordeaux’s bald head.

FAIRLY FRESH FISH CO | BRIGHTLINGSEA REGATTA
Sunday 23rd July

The Fairly Fresh Fish Co. move through a crowd offering the traditional fare of a seafood stall. As the audience looks down upon the tray however, they quickly realise that not all is as it should be…

There are prawns dancing and an octopus springing to life alongside strange stirrings in the jellied eel jar and a worrying seafood smoothie amongst other delights.

Cassie Catchpole | Festival Organiser

Cassie Catchpole has worked in street performance for 10 years traveling all over the world with The Grand Theatre of Lemmings.  She walks on stilts, dresses up as King Kong and tours a tiny caravan theatre around England! Brightlingsea might know her work with George the Bookworm – very famous with 5 years olds!

Steve Goatman | Associate Producer

FAF is working with Steve who is an independent coach and producer based in Brightlingsea. He loves outdoor arts and has produced at all kinds of festivals for over 10 years, including SPILL in Ipswich, Edinburgh Fringe, and Colchester Fringe which he
co-established in 2021.

Mandy Rose | Executive Producer

Mandy was one of the original pioneers of street theatre with The Grand Theatre of Lemmings.  She is a tour de force, a magnificent creature, and a producer extraordinaire! Mandy is bringing her extensive experience to the event, making sure it’s a smooth operation. 

Matt Jewson | Volunteers Coordinator

FAF also has the wonderful Matt Jewson on the team as our volunteers coordinator. Matt is taking charge of all things community! Having worked for The Mercury Theatre in Colchester as Engagement Producer, and living in Brightlingsea, he’s perfect for the job and we’re very lucky to have him.