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YASMINE
Giffords Circus

Conceived and produced by Nell Gifford
Music composed and directed by Sarah Llewellyn
Lyrics by Gaynor Winstanley
Direction and choreography by Molly Molloy
Musical assistants Faith Elliot and Karen Hutt

A new musical for Giffords Circus inspired by the story of Yasmine Smart, the Grandaughter of Billy Smart. She will appear as herself with a liberty horse act in the show alongside a rope walker, musicians, jugglers and dancers from all over the world. Giffords is a dynamic, inspirational and magical circus,which has delighted and entertained audiences from all backgrounds and ages. For tour dates and booking information please visit Giffords Circus.

The score for this show has been inspired by and pays tribute to the swing music of the 40’s, the wonderfully irreverent work of the legendary Spike Jones and his City Slickers, the harmonies of the Andrews Sisters and the scat singing style pioneered by artists such as the fabulous Ella Fitzgerald.
Above all, Yasmine Smart provides the catalyst for many of the pieces portraying snapshots of her life and work, as she becomes a true ‘Queen of the Ring’. Comedy, pathos and pastiche are presented by 12 eccentric, eclectic and exciting musicians who drive this innovative Giffords Circus.

Click here to buy a CD of the show

Coming Soon excerpts from the CD will be available for listening and sheet music from the show suitable for beginners to play on piano and guitar.

Click here to see pictures, hear music and learn about the critcally acclaimed 2008 show 'Caravan'.

"It blew Darcy Bussell into the hedgerow and the Rolling Stones into the middle of last week"
Jeremy Clarkson

'Britain's most glamourously inventive travelling circus'
Sunday Times Style Magazine

“I loved it, and the night after I saw it, I dreamt about it, too.”
The Guardian“

"The nation’s most glamorous troupe.”
The Independent


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Caravan

CARAVAN
Gifford Circus 2008 tour

Director Nell Gifford
Music Sarah Llewellyn
Assistant musical direction Faith Elliott
Choreographer Molly Molloy
Artistic adviser and script development Jonathan Holloway
Resident band La Fanfare Suivante

CARAVAN'S SHOWREEL

The Music
‘Eclectic, exhilarating and evocative, the music for Caravan pays homage to the cultural richness of the Roma. A musical extravaganza encompassing the enchantments of India through a wealth of Eastern European traditions and Celtic resonance.’

The Show
From May to September 2008 the Giffords Circus toured south England and Wales with the critically acclaimed show, ‘Caravan’, incorporating musicians, acrobats, horse people, tweedy the clown and jugglers from all over the world. Delighting and inspiring audiences with every show, Giffords is the most magical, intimate and dramatic circus you could ever hope to see. Produced and directed by Nell Gifford,‘The show is a day at a county fair, at the turn of the last century .. the gypsy, the showman, the horse dealer, the policeman, the general trader, the food vendor, country and town folk could meet bi-annually for the fair .... there are jugglers, itinerant musicians, some strolling players. Highlights from Shakespeare enacted in the mud and the din and the dust of the fair.’

‘... an exhilarating clash of cultures. It is as if a rural hiring fair, straight out of Thomas Hardy had suddenly been invaded by something exotic and eastern...I loved it, and the night after I saw it, I dreamt about it too.’Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Visit Giffords Circus website
Visit La Fanfare Suivante website