Roll up as circus hits town
8:20am Thursday 23rd October 2008 in Video By Kat Dibbits
ROLL up! Roll up! Walmsley AODS are presenting the Greatest Show On Earth with a no holds barred carnival, teaching everything from juggling to tightrope walking.
The company are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year, and director Nora Howcroft decided that they needed a truly spectacular show to mark the occasion — and what could be better than Barnum?
To help the cast get to grips with the stunts needed on stage, Nora enlisted the help of Rochdale-based Jim Riley, otherwise known as Circus Jim.
Jim, who has taught a number of celebrities, including Paul Nichols, the circus craft, set up Skylight Circus Arts in 1985, teaching young people in schools how to do everything from juggling to riding a unicycle.
Two years ago he decided to become semi-retired, and set up Circus Jim. Now most of his work is done with theatre companies.
Barnum is based on the life of showman, P.T.Barnum, and tells the story of his life and loves, successes and failures, culminating in the formation of the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus. The production combines elements of traditional musical theatre with the spectacle of the circus.
The characters include jugglers, tight rope walkers and clowns, as well as such real-life personalities as Jenny Lind (the Swedish Nightingale) and General Tom Thumb.
Nora said: “It’s going to be a truly special production.
“We’re going all out — the cast will be wearing skin-tight lycra with Cirque du Soleil-style makeup!”
Barnum himself will be played by Gary Harvey, who learned to walk the tightrope for the part. Alison Smith will play Barnum’s wife Charity, Ryan Entwistle will be the Ringmaster and Lindsay Farnworth will show off her vocal talents as Jenny Lind.
The show runs from Monday, November 3 to Saturday, November 8 in the Parish Hall Theatre, on Blackburn Road, in Egerton.
Tickets cost £9, and are available from box office manager Christine Taylor on 01204 305812, priced at £9 each. There is a senior citizens’ concession on Monday night at £7.
kdibbits@theboltonnews.co.uk
