Magical circus a winter garden of delights
THE Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers and their carnival of friends have opened their magical animal-free travelling circus and winter garden of delights at the Athletics Club in Fish Hoek.
Designed and produced by Richard Griffin and the alented team that brought South Africa Madame Zingara and a string of eateries and bars, this concept showcases a theatrical, food and outdoor experience for people of all ages.
These industry stalwarts and vintage carnival producers have brought Bohemian circus life to the fore by incorporating the visual wonderment of the performing arts and a winter garden of delights, all in one place.
A stellar cast of performers leads audiences on a magical journey in The Story of the Moon, a new production conceptualised by Griffin and directed by Marc Colli in association with Christine Chapman and Heidi Schmitz, with costume design by Nicky Smuts.
The Story of the Moon, a tale about the Moon and her quest to be happy like the circus folk she sees below, is presented in an Italian Big Top tent, and since opening to the public on June 23, has been delighting everyone from children to teens and parents.
The show is MC’d by Lilian Khumalo as Mama Circus, alongside singer Carmen Maarman and the hilarious Strongman and his Clown sidekick. The star cast of performers from South Africa and abroad transport the audience through a world of song, acrobatics, drumming, Argentinian boladeros, contortion, slapstick comedy and a quick change act.
While children can enjoy bungee trampolining, a fire truck and face painting, adults can relax at one of the bars and enjoy soup and other offerings at the on-site food trucks (Halaal options available).
The classic double-decker Bohemian Bus is a big attraction – a full service restaurant and bar offering dinners on the top deck, spreading out into the garden below. The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers will travel in gypsy style between towns in Cape Town and the rest of South Africa. The inaugural season at the Athletics Club on Nelson Road in Fish Hoek will run until July 23.
The Story of the Moon is presented on Thursdays at 6pm, Fridays at 5pm and 7pm, Saturdays at 11pm, 2pm and 5pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm.
Ticketsare R120 online or at the entrance, and give access to the two-act Moon show and the circus garden, plus a complimentary glass of bubbly for the adults and a balloon and a sweetie for the little ones.
Additional activities like the bungee trampoline costs R40 per child (age 3 to 12) for five minutes, and face painting is R30. Between 4pm and 6pm, beer is served at R10 a glass.
Grounds open two hours before the first daily performance of The story of the Moon.