Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular
Roll up, roll up, Carnesky's circus is coming to town: 1 downtown street, 2 days, 9 stages, 14 shows, 33 performers, 150 years of HERstory.
A ground-breaking, breath-taking, death-defying large scale new outdoor show bringing together the largest gathering of highly-skilled, diverse women and non-binary performers for the first time in a British seaside town.
An all-star cast of amazing wonder womxn will deliver performances, tell stories and perform stunts with a sense of danger and intrigue, resulting in a truly memorable theatrical experience. Aerialists, wrestlers, illusionists, glass walkers, drag kings, contemporary clowns, whip crackers, sword climbers, sideshow performers, variety dancers, contortionists, unicyclists, extraordinary performance artists, storytellers, hula-hoopers and hair hangers invite you to witness all new spectacular matriarchal utopias.
Popping-up on a downtown street in Brighton with specially designed unique sideshow stages, hand painted fairground art by local queer muralist Dave Pop, original atmospheric electronic soundscape by The Fast Set and original costumes by House of Flying Stitches - Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular brings you multiple performances over two days.
Full cast includes specialist circus sideshow stunt performers Livia Alour, Lucifire, Missy Macabre and Lalla Morte, contemporary clowns Elf Lyons, Meg Hodgson and Ella The Great, performance artists Jay Yule, Tallulah Haddon, Molly Beth Morossa, Haitch Plewis and Rhyannon Styles, circus artists contortionist Hannah Finn, hula hoop performers Symoné and Chi Chi Revolver, aerialists Jackie Le, Andrea Rios, Rebecca Rennison and Sophie Earl, contemporary burlesque artists Vicki Butterfly, Mysti Vine and Suri Sumatra, Bollywood queer cabaret performer Sarjana, award winning magician Laura London, wrestling stars Claire Heafford, Alex Windsor and Rachel Acham Seagroatt and nine emerging performers from Marisa’s own BA course.
Meet the cast
A show that makes HERstory
Olivier award-winning performance maker Marisa Carnesky reimagines British seaside variety entertainment through a diverse queer and feminist lens. Her woman-led company is channelling the ghosts of women from Brighton’s unique entertainment heritage to uncover lost stories and find new voices.
Researched at The National Fairground and Circus Archive Marisa explores the heritage of women artistes in British circus and variety, telling the untold herstories of working-class entertainment from feminist and activist perspectives. Performers like 1930s circus star Koringa who climbed a ladder of swords and worked for the French resistance, Lulu Adams the first British woman clown, 1950s sharpshooter Florence Shufflebottom and 1880s aerialist Miss LaLa who hung by her teeth and was painted by Degas, are reframed through the work of current cutting-edge performers. Carnesky's Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular is a show that makes HERSTORY.
Trailer
'The most magical ride you'll ever experience. A marvellous mix of technical wizardry and sheer heart and soul.'Lyn Gardner, The Guardian (on Carnesky's Ghost Train)
'Where serious research meets show-time glitz tinged with guignol dramatics and a whiff of carnival sideshows.'Mary Brennan, The Herald (on Dr Carnesky's Incredible Bleeding Woman)
Behind The Scenes: Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular
Meet Brighton’s Olivier Award-winning performance maker, Marisa Carnesky.
Read moreWith thanks to
Worlds End Pub
The World's End's pub is an inclusive space for open-minded folk to let their hair down. Expect local craft beer, quality burgers and cheeky cocktails with a retro arcade thrown in for good measure. Booking highly recommended or FOMO will get you!
Toga Creative
Small Group Courses for 7 - 16 year olds • Bespoke Adult Short Courses • Guest Events
Music and the Creative Arts in the heart of the city of Brighton & Hove
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