Festival of wonder 2024

The Festival of Wonder is back, with performance art, children’s activities, exhibitions, reflective spaces, food, and community.

Most events and activities are free to attend and open to all ages.

There will be a circus show, ‘The Snow Globe’, written and directed by Andy Bewley (ex-Giffords) and starring BGT 2023 Finalists aerialists Duo Odyssey, alongside popular French Shadow Dance Duo, Claire & Antho, and award-winning international clown/comedian Viktor Vasiliev.

On Friday evening, following a Relaxed Performance which is already sold out, a Gala Evening to fundraise for the festival will include a performance of ‘The Snow Globe’ as well as award winning comedian Jo Enright (Phoenix Nights, The Job Lot, Life’s Too Short, After Life). The gala provides guaranteed seating, as well as discounted standing tickets.

On Saturday all events are free and include circus and dance performances and community singing as well as Children’s Activities, an Under 5’s Play Area, Café (with free drinks and cakes), the interactive Wall of Wonder and a reflective space, this year called The Thin Space. There will be 3 performances of ‘The Snow Globe’ during the day.

Sunday includes a church service which will include an aerial performance, the Festival of Wonder band and artist and refugee worker Bill Crooks; church as never before.

A Sunday afternoon circus skills workshop will be led by School of Larks – booking is required as there are limited spaces.

The festival concludes with a grand finale, ‘Circus of the Soul’, curated by Andy Bewley, which will include internationally acclaimed aerial artist Tatiana Ozhiganova (The London Cabaret, ex Giffords), Stroud’s own Phoenix Choir and Phoenix Children’s Choir as well as international comedians/clowns Viktor & Lara. Booking is required for this event, but there will be no charge for tickets.

Andy Bewley, Writer and Director of the Festival’s centrepiece circus performance, ‘The Snow Globe’,
said: “We are thrilled to have a number of very exciting and unique acts in this years’ show. ‘The Snow Globe’ is a show for all: for those of faith and those of non-faith, for those who have never been to theatre before and to those who are performers themselves, whoever you are, whatever you believe, and whatever you’ve got on, cancel it and come down and join in the fun.”

Full details and tickets at www.festivalofwonder.org