Circus Sensible
ENTRY
from £295
WHERE
Ashton-under-Lyne
What it’s like
A travelling circus outfit that brings Big Top shows, skills workshops and stiltwalkers to your own garden or field.
This isn't a venue you turn up to, it's a circus that comes to you. Circus Sensible sends performers out to schools, parties and events with proper circus skills on the menu: juggling with balls, scarves and clubs, plate spinning, devilstick, Chinese diabolo, beginners' stilts and feather balancing. There are cigar boxes and Chinese ribbons too, so a workshop day covers a lot more than just "have a go at juggling for ten minutes".
If you want the full spectacle rather than a workshop, they'll put up one of their Big Tops and run a comedy circus show for up to 300 children and adults, plus stiltwalkers, close-up magicians, balloon modellers and unicyclists wandering about. That's the bit anyone at the party will still be talking about on Monday, tent and all.
The catch with the Big Top is the ground. It has to be level, well-drained grass with no pipes or cables underneath, because they stake the tent down, and there's no putting it up on concrete or a hard playground. Workshop days start at £295 and walkabout acts at £390, with travel on top of that, £20 to £50 for a workshop day but a fair bit more once a Big Top has to travel down from the North West, so it's worth having a rough figure in mind before you ask for a quote.
They've been doing this for over 30 years and run 7 "baby" Big Tops with a decent-sized team of performers, so availability tends to be good even if you haven't booked months ahead. That said, they'd rather you got in the diary early than leave it to the last fortnight.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parties
- Offer children's parties with Big Tops, shows, workshops and walkabout entertainment for gardens or fields
- Big Top travel costs are separate from the workshop or show price, and can add a fair bit once it's coming from the North West
- The Big Top needs grass, not concrete, plus room for their vehicles to get right up to the site
- They've been running over 30 years with 7 Big Tops, so last-minute enquiries are still worth making
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Workshop days start at £295, walkabout acts are £390 and Circus Skills Workshops run to £360. Travel is added on top, usually £20 to £50 for a workshop day, more for a Big Top.
Do we need to book in advance?
They say booking early gets you pencilled into the diary, but with 7 Big Tops and a large team they usually have decent availability. Worth getting in touch, even at short notice.
Can they put a Big Top up anywhere?
Only on level, well-drained grass with no underground pipes or cables, since the tent gets staked down. Concrete or hard surfaces are out, and they need vehicle access right up to the site.
Do they do children's parties?
They do, and they'll bring the full setup, Big Top, shows, workshops and walkabout entertainment, to your garden or field if there's room for it.
What do the kids actually get to try?
Juggling, plate spinning, devilstick, Chinese diabolo, beginners' stilts, feather balancing, cigar boxes and Chinese ribbons, depending on which workshop you book.
How big can the show be?
The comedy circus shows in the Big Top can hold up to 300 children and adults, alongside stiltwalkers, close-up magicians and balloon modellers working the crowd.
How do we book?
You call or email with your event details and they say they'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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