The Invisible Circus

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The Invisible Circus

The Invisible Circus is a collective of multi-skilled artists formed during a decade and a half of world travel and adventure as street performers.

14/05/2026

All you Circus folk out there! Have you filled out the census with our friends yet? If not get over to their page and follow the link in bio to have your say about what we need in the city to keep Circus alive and help it thrive!

08/05/2026

Talk times for tomorrows rumble in the jumble celebrating 3 years of Sparks Bristol on the First Floor at The People’s Theatre ………………Pete The Temp Sat 12.45 pm Talk -
The Arts of Enchantment - Language, Despair & the Fireside Tradition

Doug francisco and Wim Penhaul
Sat 2pm Talk - The Invisible Circus
30 years of creative revolution.

Film Screening of Where Do Clowns Go, a new feature documentary film by Pip Furlong 4pm - 4.45pm

05/05/2026

Join us this Saturday the 9th of May to celebrate three years of Sparks Bristol bringing the Love and Hope to Broadmead in the face of the endlessly grinding wheels of gentrification! There is a small board of activities throughout the day as well as open Studios and we are delighted to be hosting yet another Invisible Circus jumble sale alongside talks in the peoples theatre from IC co-directors doug francisco and Wim Penhaul as well as the legendary wordsmith Pete The Temp and a screening of the Fabulous new documentary Where Do Clowns Go!

Still time to book yourself a stall if you want to sell some Fabulous stuff! We will be opening the snazzy Invisible Circus Costume store to let go of a few luxury items, not to be missed !

Otherwise, come along and enjoy the day and celebrate putting some heart and soul back into the city Centre!

Talks schedule is -

Pete The Temp Sat 12.45 pm Talk -
The Arts of Enchantment - Language, Despair & the Fireside Tradition

Doug francisco and Wim Penhaul
Sat 2pm Talk - The Invisible Circus
30 years of creative revolution.

Film Screening of Where Do Clowns Go, a new feature documentary film by Pip Furlong 4pm - 4.45pm

18/04/2026

A short fever dream clip from Ghost Town, one of my favourite early Invisible Circus shows from pro Cathedral in Clifton, way back in 2007, just before we took over The Island at old fire station complex in the city Centre. A temporary use project that is still hanging in the 18 years later, though only by a thread.

Posting this to celebrate the world Circus day and dream of better days to come, as the whole world seems to be dangling from a thread at the moment. ❤️ DF

11/04/2026

The full lineup for this evening's 30th anniversary ball!

09/04/2026

New merch alert! Our Fabulous new logo emblazoned on these high grade fair trade red and black T-shirts will be available at the Ball this weekend and beyond. Support the cause by getting yourself one or ordering one if they have sold out, which let’s face it is highly likely with such as stylish design.

Fly the flag, spread the word and celebrate 30 years of creative revolution with the Invisible Circus!

Tickets available at headfirst Bristol link in bio x

Big thanks to Danny pull.print. and Steve for new logo design

08/04/2026

30 years of Invisible Circus, 20 years in bristol with Artspace Lifespace heres to the next epic epoch! come celebrate xx d

28/03/2026

It was 30 years ago almost to the day, when our two co-directors first met near a small village called Barao San Joao, near Lagos in Portugal. Two young clowns out on the road chasing their dreams and dancing to their own tune in the Circus of life.

Though the invisibles had been appearing and disappearing as a street theatre troupe on the streets of Portugal and Spain for a couple of years before this auspicious meeting, this could be said to be the moment when the worlds of Circus and Theatre collided for the company.

It was also while continuing their rampage as street performers they would also start putting on raves in this sunny and salubrious south West corner of Europe.

Wim was juggling under a tree that was Doug‘s former home as he came walking through the forest into the clearing. “ alright mate, I’m starting a Circus, you could be the juggler if you want?” said doug, without missing a Beat or dropping a club Wim smiled and nodded, “ sure thing Man, why not?” and the rest as they say…. Is history.

Come celebrate this long lasting friendship and all that has come since! Tickets are on sale for 10th / 11th April via Headfirst Bristol for our 30th anniversary Ball at the Arts Mansion Ashton Court. They are literally flying out the door so book now to avoid disappointment as capacity is limited.

Thanks to Damon Hope for clip from short film The Candle And The Sun xx

27/03/2026

It’s back! Celebrating 3 years of sparks !!!!! It’s the Invisible Circus Jumble Sale
Saturday 9th May
Event time: 11am–6pm
Location: Sparks, First Floor, 78 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3JA

Join us on 9th May for another fantastic Invisible Circus Jumble Sale, as part of the Sparks 3rd Anniversary celebrations!
We’ll be taking over part of the first floor of Sparks (https://sparksbristol.co.uk/), alongside a whole host of other activities happening throughout the building, it’s set to be a fun, lively day.

Get ready to jumble!
A mix of stalls packed with unique, strange, and exciting treasures, including:
-Circus costumes, equipment & props
-Festival, fitness & vintage clothing
-Bric-a-brac and all sorts of unexpected finds
Come for the bargains, stay for the atmosphere — we’d love to see you there!

Buyers:
Get there early to grab the best bits, and bring cash if you can.

Sellers:
Email [email protected] to book your spot.
Plots: £20 + VAT (£24)
Size: approx. 3m x 2m
Please bring your own table or rail
Chairs can be provided by Sparks
Ideally, set up the day before

20/12/2025

So proud of everyone who contributed to awesome Circus to Circus fundraiser event on Thursday. An amazing coming together of creative forces across the whole event but especially much gratitude to everyone who participated in this performance which resonated with people in such a powerful and emotional way.

Captured here on Film by the one and only john street and photographs by the ever loving eye of

You can still help to support the Gaza Circus School by going to their account giving them a follow so you can share that post and donating anything you can via the links on their profile, every little helps in these most desperate times

Only ghosts live here now.

Concept design by Doug Francisco
Words by Author Raja Shehadeh
Music composition by Kareem Samara
Images by Peter White www.peterwhite.org
Performance by Red Rebel Brigade
Video Editing by Jon street
Audio support by Laurie French

Address

Bristol
BS20RA

Telephone

+441179413857

Website

http://linktr.ee/invisiblecircus.

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