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Showing posts from August, 2019

Our Butlins highlights 2019!

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Our time at Butlins Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead have come to an end for another year and we're feeling rather misty eyed about saying goodbye to the three, wonderful sites! As a cast we've made so many happy memories there and hopefully made summer 2019 one to remember for all the families that came to see us. Before we embark on our autumn tour, we're taking the opportunity to celebrate what a fantastic time we've had! Here are our Butlins highlights from 2019! Who enjoyed seeing Chico Rico at Skegness and ringmaster Joel at Minehead? Celebrating clown week (1st - 7th August) It may come as no surprise to you that clown week is a rather important occasion for us circuses and it's the perfect excuse to do lots of clowning around! We love celebrating it every year and it makes it rather special that we get to celebrate at Butlins! Our Minehead cast definitely got into the spirit of the occasion. Days off at Butlin

A coffee break with... Amiri

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This week, we say a fond farewell to our summer at Butlins and a warm welcome to Derby, Nottingham and Warrington as we begin our autumn tour 2019! Our final Q & A is with a man who we think needs no introduction. He's a rather quirky character and would bend over backwards for anyone! We are proud to introduced you to Skegness' resident bendy man, Amiri the contortionist! Amiri's preferred way of watching TV as appose to sitting on the sofa 1. Full name Amiri Kisingaji Mvamda 2. Home town/city/country Ilala, Tanzania 3. If you could choose another circus act to perform what would it be? I would like to be able to master the chair balance! It requires a lot of strength and a lot of balance, obviously, but I think I could do it! Maybe you'll be seeing me doing that next at Gandeys... ha ha ha 4. Do you have a routine or ritual before the show? My act requires lots of flexibility, so I always do lots and lots of st

A coffee break with... Serik

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This week's Q&A is with one performer who doesn't hang about. He isn't shy of a bit of weight lifting, loves the idea of trying out the thunder dome and has a bit of a soft spot for... Ariana Grande? Who would have thought! This week, we are pleased to introduce you to one of our aerial strap performers, Serik!  Serik is all smiles whenever he's in the ring!    1. Full name Serikkhan Zhaxybekov 2. Home town/city/country Taldy-Kurgan, Kazakhstan 3. What previous shows have you been in? Circus Medrano, Billy Smart Circus, Blackpool Tower Circus, John Lawson circus, Uncle Sam's American Circus 4. If you could choose another circus act to perform what would it be? I'm a bit of a dare devil, so probably the wheel of death or the Thunderdome. Those guys do an amazing job so I'd love to give it a go. Will Serik be next to master the Thunderdome?  5. Do you have a routine or ritual before the show

All the things we LOVE about Butlins!

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Over the past few months, the brilliant Butlins resorts at Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead have become a home away from home for the Gandeys circus cast and, as the end of our time there approaches, we're taking the opportunity to reflect on all the reasons why we love it! So, if you're wondering where to take the family on your next summer break, or just want to reflect on how great of a place it is, we've compiled a list of all the things we love about Butlins! The Redcoats! The super friendly staff are part of what makes Butlins such a great place to be. They double as a great holiday guide as well as wonderful entertainers! Originally, they were dressed in red so they could be seen by visitors easily. Their job description was initially known as: 'friend, philosopher, guide', which we think is very true! We loved having them at the show and some of them couldn't help but take part! Bippo the clown with two of his newest band member

A coffee break with... Mohamed!

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Put the kettle on, because it's time for our fourth Q&A installment! This week, we'd like to introduce you to one of the members of our Kenya Warriors, currently featured at Butlins Minehead, Mohamed! The Kenyan Warriors showing off their super strength! 1. Full name Mohamed Said Rasi 2. Home town/city/country Mombases, Kenya 3. What previous shows have you been in? Gerry Cottle's Circus, Circus Berlin and Circus of Heroes 4. If you could choose another circus act to perform what would it be? I'd love to be able to master the Chinese Pole!  Mohamed is definitely one of the most stylish members of our cast! 5. Do you have a routine or ritual before the show? I always have to warm up before the show. I like to put on some music and do stretches with the rest of the warriors. Then after we always just like to relax.  6. If you were not a circus performer what job would you do? I

48 hours in Edinburgh during the Fringe! Our director's 2019 picks of places to go, things to do and see

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The Lady Boys of Bangkok is back at the Edinburgh Fringe for the show's 21st year!  So by now, we like to think the Gandey World Class Productions team knows all the best places to visit. In this week's blog, our director Carol Gandey picks some of her favourite things from visiting the Fringe in 2019... The Royal Mile , EH1 1SG The most famous stretch of Edinburgh, and it's most certainly alive and at its best during the Fringe! So many shows to choose from... but obviously The Lady Boys of Bangkok is our favourite! This year Carol's top picks included Assembly Festival 's contemporary physical theatre shows My Land and Blizzard .  The Edinburgh Fringe Shop and Box Office, 180 High Street, EH1 1QS The Edinburgh Fringe Shop is home to all sorts of weird and wonderful merchandise. Shout out to the hard-working, supportive staff at the Fringe Box Office as well, who are doing an amazing job selling tickets for The Lady Boys