The clue is in the name – the Circus Big Top is the official home of Circus at Glastonbury.
They promise “jaw-dropping, amazing, crazy talent that will keep you on the edge of your seat.” We concur.
Last year we caught three incredible performances from Balance, The Black Eagles and High Society. This year sees world record attempts and even more amazing acts.
Circus Big Top: Picks of the Weekend
Cirque du Vulgar / Thursday from 23:32 to 00:42, Friday from 22:55 to 00:05 and Saturday from 00:19 to 01:29
What is Cirque du Vulgar? Imagine if the Circus was only for adults… Cirque du Vulgar is a fast-paced, hilarious night of raw, live entertainment that features death-defying stunts alongside comic moments.
United Queendom / Thursday from 22:09 to 23:09, Friday from 00:10 to 01:10, Saturday from 23:09 to 00:09. Also performing in Mavericks.
Playing late-night slots from Thursday to Saturday, United Queendom, a company that fuses fashion, circus, burlesque and drag to create shows about self-expression and empowerment, makes its Glastonbury debut with a fierce cast of performers from across the globe. It’s “part catwalk, part cabaret” – perfect for the Big Top.
Steve Rawlings / Friday from 16:42 to 17:02, Saturday from 17:13 to 17:33 and Sunday from 12:48 to 13:08. Also performing in The Astrolabe Theatre and Mavericks.
Steve Rawlings is a 7-times Guinness world record holder who mixes stand-up comedy with an outrageous combination of juggling, balancing and physical tricks. And he earned those records, including ‘the longest duration balancing a shopping trolley on the chin’ (1 hour, 31 minutes and 18 seconds) and ‘the longest duration balancing a pool cue on the forehead’ (2 hours, 15 minutes and 18 seconds).
Jay Rawling’s World Record Attempt / Thursday 18:45 to 18:53. Also performing a Walkabout set
Steve’s son Jay is also chasing records – 11 in total already – and this year he’ll be one of the performers attempting to pick up another world record in the Circus Big Top! You may have seen Jay breaking records on Britain’s Got Talent where he picked up the record for the most chairs balanced on the chin at the same time – eleven! Check out the video below (also featuring Steve in a supporting role!).
Ellis Grover / Thursday from 20:23 to 20:33, Friday from 20:58 to 21:08, Saturday from 15:54 to 16:04 and Sunday from 14:40 to 14:50. Also on Sensation Seekers Stage and Mavericks.
Welsh daredevil Ellis Grover started off doing parkour as a kid around his hometown of Carmarthen before setting his eyes further afield, travelling the world as a performer. His Instagram account describes him as a “Highwire Walker, Balance Artist, Chairdevil, Musician.”
Read our interview with Ellis Grover about performing at this year’s festival.
Duo Santus / Thursday from 21:30 to 12:36, Friday from 16:20 to 16:26 and 20:47 to 20:53, Saturday from 16:51 to 16:57 and 21:05 to 21:11 and Sunday from 13:28 to 13:34. Also on Outside Circus Stage
Duo Santus are Bettina & Jacob, who perform duo bicycle and unicycle stunts, duo rollerskating and foot-juggling, pole and hoop. They come from two prominent circus families, bringing their traditions to their performances. With their shows running at just six minutes in length, they provide a great short burst of energy to anyone’s daily schedule.
Charlie Bicknell – Supersonic Woman / Thursday from 21:41 to 21:53, Friday from 21:26 to 21:38 and Saturday from 16:09 to 16:21 and 18:19 to 18:31. Also performing Charlie Bicknell is Holding Out for a Hero on Outside Circus Stage and a set in Mavericks.
Cabaret artist, actress and circus eccentric, Charlie Bicknell brings two shows to this year’s festival, performing in the Circus Big Top, Outside Circus Stage and a late-night set in Mavericks. Expect wicked humour and eclectic jazz and cabaret, interspersed with jaw-dropping circus stunts.
Glastonbury Festival 2024 takes place from 26 to 30 June
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