Gandey World Class Productions

Today on the Gandeys World Class Productions blog, we're taking the opportunity to celebrate birthday of Andrew Van Buren; performer, showman and member of circus history. To mark this special occasion, we're giving you a further insight into the colourful and remarkable history of British circus! Andrew Van Buren is known for using highly visual circus skills How British circus began English equestrian Philip Astley created performances and tricks surrounding horses based in a 42-foot diameter ring, now the universally known circus ring. Originally from Newcastle-Under-Lyme, his hometown now pays tribute to the circus creator in the form of The Phillip Astley Project  which has educated the public through talks, workshops and exhibitions, on his life and work. Now, you can find bespoke circus-themed sculptures in honour of Philip Astley in his birth town. Gandey's circus director, Carol Gandey, with some of the cast Fred Van Buren Known as an illus...

The unveiling of The UK’s First Permanent Monument to Philip Astley & his legacy of the Circus By Andrew Van Buren Images by Andrew Lewis Thankfully it was a gloriously sunny day for the unveil of the country’s first permanent monument to Newcastle-under-Lyme born Philip Astley, the original Ringmaster & creator of the modern day circus and his legacy. I had been working towards 21st April 2018 for a good many months, wanting to pull together a number of threads to celebrate World Circus Day in Newcastle-under-Lyme and this monument was the icing on the cake. Realise Foundation Charity , which encompasses Aspire Housing and PM Training had agreed to create and house the monument. During several meetings designer Candida Kelsall created the image, which was then built by 17 year old PM Training apprentice Liam Robinson. It was placed on its St George Street (ST5 1JX) site on the boundary of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke on Trent...

Andrew Van Buren and Carol Gandey took the stage last night to speak to the Rotary Club about The Philip Astley Project that will be coming to Newcastle-under-Lyme and throughout the UK next year, in what turned out to be a very interesting and entertaining evening.  The Philip Astley Project  was formed in 2015 to celebrate Philip Astley as part of the nationwide Circus250 celebrations that will be taking place next year. 2018 is the 250th anniversary of the modern circus and thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, and sponsorship from businesses, people will be able to get involved in workshops, talks, an exhibition, and performances. Activities began in 2017, leading up to AstleyFest - a one-day festival to celebrate Astley in August 2018. Gandeys Circus is proud to be supporting The Philip Astley Project and working closely with Andrew Van Buren to celebrate the life of this Newcastle-under-Lyme born man known as "the father of modern c...