Gandey World Class Productions

The full trailer for the live action remake of the classic Disney cartoon Dumbo has been released, and it’s going straight to the top of our film watchlist. In 1941 – and despite being only 64 minutes long – Dumbo was pretty revolutionary for its advances in animation techniques. It’s an enduring family favourite and many consider it an essential part of the Disney films canon. It also won an Oscar for best music! That’s quite a lot to live up to, and the new movie has an intriguingly different feel thanks to the direction of Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Chirstmas, Edward Scissorhands), so you can bet it’ll be an interesting watch. We’re sure the heartfelt story will be in safe hands with Burton, and his impressive cast which includes Danny DeVito, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton and Eva Green. This new version will be released in 2019. Dumbo tells the tale of a flying elephant who is bullied for his giant ears, separated from his mother and made to perform with...

It’s Q&A time again, as we anticipate the opening of the Gandeys Circus Greatest Showmen tour: Halloween Spooktacular at intu Merry Hill . Last time we spoke to tyre juggler Andrey Vovk from Uzbekistan. And this week we caught up with another type of juggler… foot juggler Mariska Gandey! Mariska Gandey Mariska is part of the fourth generation of the Gandey family, and is skilled in the art of hair hanging as well as foot juggling . Let's find out some more...  What’s your ideal Halloween costume? Mariska likes dressing up as Wednesday Addams . Let's hope Mariska doesn't get too much into character... And your best Halloween joke? “What goes ‘cackle cackle bonk bonk’? …a witch laughing her head off” Phew. I don’t think we’re in danger of 'laughing our heads off' with that joke… How do you celebrate Halloween? “Trick or treating!” Keep a tight grip on that candy bucket Mariska! Favourite meal? “My d...

In the run-up to the Gandeys Circus Greatest Showmen tour: Halloween Spooktacular at intu Merry Hill , every week we’ll be bringing you a Q&A with one of our amazing acts. This week, we caught up with terrifying tyre juggler Andrey Vovk from Ukraine! Tyre juggler Andrey Vovk This mighty man with biceps of steel is a fresh new face at Gandeys Circus, so there’s lots to find out… What’s your ideal Halloween costume? “FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER!” He’s no franken'weenie' that’s for sure! And your best Halloween joke? “What is Frankenstein’s favourite food? Franken-furters!” Don’t worry, his tyre juggling is much more impressive than his joke-telling…    How do you celebrate Halloween? “Frightening local children and pinching their sweets!” Something tells us Andrey is all bark and no bite… Favourite meal? Andrey’s perfect meal is Palov (also known as Plov), a traditional Uzbekistan dis...

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...

Today marks the 250th Anniversary of the first modern circus! It also marks the beginning of Circus250 – a year long celebration of circus tradition, history, and Philip Astley; the man who started it all. Philip Astley was a fascinating character. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, the son of a cabinet maker went on to become a military hero, before utilising his expert equestrian skills and knowledge of trick-riding to set up a revolutionary new show on a cold wintery day in London. That first performance was on 9th January 1768 - exactly 250 years ago today! You can read more about Astley's story in this fantastic article here .  Gandeys Circus is proud to be supporting The Phillip Astley Project. Details of which can be found here . Museums and art galleries are amongst the organisations that will be taking part in Circus250. Not to mention the circuses all over the world that will be celebrating! In the UK, the Six Cities of Circu...

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...