Acrobats rigging up a spectacular for Brunel’s famous ship

CIRCUS acrobats are taking visitors to the SS Great Britain back to Brunel’s heyday with death-defying aerial feats.

The West-based Invisible Circus is staging a series of performances this summer on the historic ship, which is based at Bristol’s Harbourside.

Inspired by real-life stories of passengers and crew, the acclaimed company has created a show as part of the craft’s summer spectacular.

Three pop-up performances will take place throughout the day from July 20 to September 1.

Highly-skilled aerial artists will fling themselves from the rigging, spiral down from the crow’s nest, perform acrobatic displays on luggage and juggle everything from shipping crates to suitcases.

Bristol-based circus artist Em Puddy grew up on Lundy Island, off the Devon coast. The daughter of a sailor and steamboat enthusiast, as a pre-schooler Em was often found at the helm of the MS Oldenburg passenger ferry, which was the islanders’ primary link with the mainland.

Em has helped to devise the summer spectacular and will perform throughout the summer. She said that with her father a sailor and her brother a crew member on yachts and cruise ships, it was “wonderful” to follow the family tradition and perform and work on board “the grandmother of all passenger ships”.

Tickets to the SS Great Britain cost £17 per adult and £10 per child (5-16 years old), but with a five per cent discount for buying online. Under-4s go free. Unlimited visits can be made for 12 months.

Adam Gasson The Invisible Circus in action, featuring Em Puddy, far left, on Brunel’s SS Great Britain