Beginning in the 1980s, Guy Collins’ juggling career has spanned decades and continents. He’s performed on the streets of Paris, in Covent Garden market, Blackpool Pleasure Peach, the theme parks of Sweden and Germany, Key West, Boston and more.
Now based in Vermont, he still takes the time to travel to Somerset every year to perform at Glastonbury Festival. Ahead of this year’s edition, we caught up with Guy to find out what it’s like to be back.
Q&A with Guy Collins
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into live performance?
Guy Collins, as known as “Groovy Guy,” I am a comedy juggler and I live in Vermont USA. I started street performing in Paris, France as a teenager around about 1987 – firstly to support myself whilst travelling – and I very quickly realised that I didn’t want to do anything else.
What’s it like to be performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival?
It’s an honour and I feel very grateful and proud to be part of this wonderful festival. I first came here as a 16-year-old and have loved it ever since. I’m not quite sure how many times I have attended more than 10. I know I have been performing at every festival since 2015, I also performed in 1999 and 2000. Before that, it gets a bit hazy!
What can you tell us about your plans for the show?
I plan to have a good time and to share some laughter with old friends and some new ones I haven’t met yet.
How do you approach performing at a festival like this?
At Glastonbury, you need to have an open mind. I have a basic structure for the show but I will enjoy going on whatever journey the audience pushes us in.
Will you be checking out any other acts across the weekend?
Very much so! Hilby “Skinny German Juggle Boy” always makes me laugh, he too will be in the Theatre and Circus fields. I will hang out for a while at the Outside Circus stage as there are normally a bunch of acts that are great. I like to wander around until I find something that is interesting and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
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