Giffords Circus’ sensational 2011 adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace @ the Circus toured England and Wales for 5 months. A fantastic 15 piece live band drove the action with an original and vibrant score by Sarah Llewellyn.
Produced and designed by Nell Gifford
Directed by Irina Brown
Music and Musical Direction by Sarah Llewellyn
Choreography by Fleur Darkin
Lyrics by Kit Hesketh Harvey
Creative musical assistant Karen Hutt
The spectacular & thrilling 2011 Tolstoy’s War and Peace re-imagined by Giffords Circus toured around the beautiful countryside of the South West and Wales to packed audiences, driven by Sarah’s original, vibrant and relentless score and performed by Giffords’ uncompromising fifteen piece live band.
The show enjoyed a world-class performance company of 60 including Tweedy the Clown, Ethiopian Jugglers Bibi and Bichu, a sublime hand-balancing act by Pat & Kate Bradford, the incredibly graceful Hungarian silks artist Natália Demjén, actors, horses, doves, flying Russian acrobats and last but not least, Brian the Goose.
James Keay – Band leader – Piano, percussion, voice
Francesca Simmons – Violin, musical saw, Soprano sax,voice
Claire Barbier – Vocal leader – voice, percussion, piano
Jean Goubert – Alto saxophone, banjo, drums, voice
Beth Schofield – Tenor sax, flute, piccolo, recorder, clarinet, voice
Louise Marsland – Baritone & alto sax, clarinet, flute, voice
Jannah Warlow – Voice, Tenor sax, violin
Penny Callow – Cello, flute
Sam Alty – Guitar, double bass, trombone, voice
Gemma Fuller – Trumpet, voice, percussion
Valentine Chatelet – Trumpet, voice
Celine Biewesch – Euphonium, percussion, voice
David Insua-Cao – Principle percussion, voice