The official Gandey World Class Productions Blog. Home of Gandeys Circus, the Lady Boys of Bangkok, Gandeys Circus, Cirque Surreal, the Chinese State Circus, Spirit of the Horse and other UK touring shows. Bringing you the best in culture, food, lifestyle and travel that we hope you'll enjoy. Created by the powerhouse duo of Carol Gandey & Phillip Gandey, leaders in some of the most popular household entertainment shows in the UK. Exporting talent across the globe
Winter is coming....and so is Christmas!
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You may have felt it in the air or read it on a calendar and regardless of whether it's your arms clinging to your shivering sides or your keen seasonal eye it's hard to deny that winter is well and truly upon us. As quick as a shimmering twirl of a Lady Boys number the temperature seems to have plummeted very obnoxiously to a much colder temperature. Followed by the inevitable outbreak of coats, scarf's and talk of the most Marmite-like of all holidays, IIIIITTTSS CHRRRIIISSTTTMMAAA- sshhh - quite Noddy, its not even December yet.
Despite Noddy Holders typically overzealous approach it is true, Christmas is just around the corner and with it we see the return of the much loved and sometimes loathed Christmas adverts. Those heart-warming adverts that never fail in conning us into believing that these multinational corporations actually care about our feelings - and not just our monies. So this here blog is a showcase of a couple of our favourite Christmas ads of the year.
No Christmas advert list would be complete without John Lewis's newest and rather touching annual AdMas (new word for the purposes of the blog - it's an amalgamation of Advert and Christmas in case you didn't get it - Oh you did it? Well soooorrry, didn't mean to call into question your cognitive abilities - anyway on with this Christmas malarkey) edition. It tells the tale of a young boys pet penguin and his search for love. With the hopes of not spoiling the ending as you'd already have watched it (now would be the time) - he turns out to be imaginary leading the moral epiphany that all penguins figments of the imagination. Hold on, that wasn't what it was about? Ooooh now I get it - the young boy just wanted to be a penguin pimp for Christmas and his wish came true? No!? Well regardless of your conclusions it's nice so it's in the list.
The next one is definitely towards the UP spectrum on the tearjerkameter scale and it's the Christmas offering from Boots. It tells the short story of a nurse finishing a presumably long shift on the evening of Christmas day - as she is driving home it shows other people arriving at airports and setting off in cars but gives no indication of the destination or relation to one another. As the nurse arrives home she walks past the glass living room door to see the outline of people and the warm glow of light only to open the door and see her family waiting to greet her with a late Christmas just for her. Presumably, though this isn't shown, they then shower her with classic boots gifts like make-up, those shower pack combo things and a luffa. It may be another generically heart-warming AdMas but it's a particular string tugger so it's makes our list.
This next one is from Sky and it must have cost an absolute fortune in royalty costs - everything is in here from The Muppets to Frozen as you follow a families fantastical frolic through some of this years biggest blockbusters. Though the advert is aimed at children who don't tend to pay the Sky bill - it is still well put together and who doesn't love Olaf the snowman from Frozen?
Coca Cola, the old Christmas advert heavy weight champions, are back this year with another festive feast for eyes. It's as Christmassy as a snowman throwing up tinsel and it's all about the act of giving - it shows people giving each other umbrellas and throwing surprise discos and is all wrapped up by the 'Give a little happiness' slogan. Coca Cola never fail to deliver and we don't know who they get the play Santa in their ads but he should be Santa in EVERYTHING....the man is Christmas personified.
That's it for a pick of the faves and The Lady Boys of Bangkok are certainly ramping up festivities as it creeps into these late winter months! Coca Cola may have the most Christmassy man in existence but does he look better than us in a Santa outfit? We think not. The ladies are just finishing up an amazing stop in Belfast, but then it's onto Sheffield for our very last stop this years RED HOT KISSES tour! Then IIIIIIIIITTTTTSSS CHRIIIIISSSTMMAAAASS!! What are you still doing here Noddy? We thought you'd left.....
Hip hip hooray! It’s our crazy clown Andreea’s birthday! The lovable Andreea has been appearing in shows with Gandeys Circus for nearly a decade. Now Andreea is actually French – so perhaps we should say ‘bon anniversaire’! We’re proud to have Andreea as part of our current team in the big top at Butlin’s Skegness . While our other clowns – currently performing at Butlin’s Bognor Regis and Minehead – Bippo and Chico Rico are more traditional, Andreea opts to show off her sense of style with an offbeat modern look. We think her pink tutu / Converse / blazer combo is pretty iconic… especially paired with her blasting boombox! (she’s never been shy of making an entrance). Andreea likes interrupting the action with her silly routines. And you know something else… she is the UK’s only female clown! So you could say she’s a bit of an innovator when it comes to clowning around. With that in mind, let’s look at how much clowns have changed ov...
200 BC – 200 AD – Han Dynasty, Sichuan Province – Juggler with balls and knives – Carving, stone of the “Hundred Games.” [source: Chinese Acrobatics Through The Ages, p15] The origins of the Chinese circus are not entirely crystal clear. There are debates and differing opinions when it comes to the exact history behind the circus, which is not a surprise when you take into account how long it has been around! First records of the Chinese circus - including carvings and mural paintings - date back more than 2,000 years to the Warring States period (475–221 BC), with evidence of performances developing further during the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 230 AD). Although it is believed that the art may have actually started around 3,000 years ago! One theory is that the acts originated in imperial courts, with performers entertaining the houses in a manner similar to western court jesters. However, it is more likely that the circus was a folk art that was later adopted by...
In honour of International Women's Day and the 'Women in Circus' movement, we would like to share these photos of strong women with whom we have worked - past and present. Women who inspire us here at Gandey World Class Productions , and who influence and empower other women across the world. There are many strong circus women who we have not mentioned here. Please be aware that this list is by no means definitive – there are so many more strong women whom we would have loved to include, and who remain an important part of the Gandey family. The pictures can also be found in a Flickr album here . Mary Gandey: Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Performer – the foundation upon which Gandeys as we know it was built Carol Gandey: Director and Producer – Gandey World Class Productions Hayley Gandey: Circus Director and Performer – Gandeys Circus Coral Gandey: Brand Manager, London Mariska Gandey: Circus Performer – Gandeys Circus Andreea D...
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