Little Lark of London

Currently running at Underbelly Festival Cavendish, Tweedy’s Massive Circus has audiences brought into the world of Tweedy the Clown and his circus, which has actually shrunk! After its run in London, the show will go up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. Recently, we had a chance to speak with Tweedy about what it’s been like to create the show and the beauty of clowning!

How did you first get involved in the world of clowning?

It’s hard to pinpoint when it actually started, I was always performing in school shows and taught myself circus skills. My first job on leaving school was pantomime though, I then went to Butlins as a redcoat and did a clown act in the cabaret show, the year after I joined my first circus, Zippo’s.

What made you want to create Tweedy’s Massive Circus?

I wanted to do a show where the clowning was the main focus, where anything could happen no matter how silly the idea.

What is the creative process like for a circus show like Tweedy’s Massive Circus?

I had the initial concept early on, once I had Sam Goodburn on board I worked out what material we already had of our own that would work in the show. I then worked out the narrative and wrote a bit of a script this constantly changed in rehearsals though. The best ideas often come from playing.

What is it like performing in a show of your own versus a show like Giffords Circus?

There’s more freedom for me to do what I like and it’s more intimate so the audience are more involved.

Do you have any favourite acts you love to perform?

My favourite moments are usually when something genuinely goes wrong or when we go off script.

What do you hope audiences take away from Tweedy’s Massive Circus?

Lifelong memories of a fun family day out.

How would you describe Tweedy’s Massive Circus in one word?

Hilarious.

Tweedy’s Massive Circus runs until 27 July at Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square. The show will then go to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where it will run from 3 to 21 August (no performances on 12 or 19 August) at Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows – The Beauty. To purchase tickets for Edinburgh, please click here.