What's On / Bristol Concerts, Theatre & Dance / circus & physical theatre

A circus & physical theatre performance in Bristol

Circus and Physical Theatre Events in Bristol

upcoming event

Bristol's Circus & Physical Theatre Scene

Unsurprisingly the best place to see live circus performances in Bristol as at the city’s own, physical theatre school - Circomedia. Fans of more experimental theatre performances should check out Ausform and Bristol’s May Fest theatre festival.

Buy tickets for circus & physical theatre events in Bristol

Our recent circus & physical theatre recommendations

It’s hard to remember Bristol's contemporary dance scene before Impermanence came along, flipping the Mount Without into a world-class physical theatre space attracting commissions and artists from all over the globe. Now the directors tear back the curtain with this 5-day course, sharing in-depth techniques and movement theory from 15 years of groundbreaking shows. Open to budding beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. IMPERMANENCE _ Dance Theatre Intensive at St Michael's Studio.

The first true horror film takes its rightful place at Exchange Horror Club, complete with suitably unsettling live score! German expressionist masterpiece The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari distills interwar paranoia into a claustrophobic dreamscape of lurking shadows, menacing angles and impossible distortions, realised through some of the most fantastical set design ever committed to film. Mandatory cinephile viewing! Exchange Horror Club: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at Exchange.

Sell out warning! A bite-sized blast of women’s micro-fiction to warm you up for this year’s Flash Fiction Festival. East Bristol Books brings together a selection of award-winning, razor-sharp flash storytellers from across the globe – Bristol’s own Kathryn Aldridge-Morris, WA’s Gillian O’Shaughnessy and the Bay Area’s Patricia Q. Bidar. Feminist Flash Fiction from the UK, Australia and US at East Bristol Books.

A rare chance to sample the punk magic of 16mm film. This taster from BEEF / Cube stalwart Katie Davis delivers a crash course in DIY techniques like cameraless photograms + show you how to mix your own home B&W developer fluid using coffee, vitamin C and baking soda. Next stop: Bluescreen! 16mm Film Night Classes - 16mm Photograms & Caffenol Developer at KIT FORM.

What our editors say

“Sexquisite Events are an award winning performing arts company platforming the hottest sex worker artists, creating fierce, political and multi-disciplinary work. Come along to our bad bitch cabaret to celebrate how multi-talented + powerful sex workers are. You can expect: dance, burlesque, spoken word, song, comedy, pole + more! By supporting Sexquisite you are enabling us to create paid creative opportunities for those who work in the sex industry. Alongside this you are supporting us in our mission to destigmatise sex work through performance.”
From: Sexquisite July

“Welcome to an enchanting, whimsical night of a variety Cabaret. Do you fancy a night of Bohemian antics, clowns being silly, and stand-up comedians giving you big belly laughs? We also have experimental theatre, music, and a Twoprov Improv duo for you all to enjoy. All under one roof, there’s no better way to spend a Saturday evening than getting lost in the world of cabaret at the Old Market Assembly.”
From: Twilight Cabbret

“Step into the Big Top for NoFit State's 40th‑anniversary celebration CARNATION, a human, sensual rollercoaster of circus, live music, and cinematic spectacle. Boisterous, audacious, and charged with feeling, this large‑scale immersive show celebrates hope in rebellion, where breathtaking performance, bold live sound, and striking imagery collide as ordinary people do extraordinary things. Dates: 12 – 28 June Location: NoFit State Big Top Tent, Wilson Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 9HH Pricing: Standard £26 | Family tickets from £72 Over 65 | Unwaged | Student | Under 16 £18 Book now: www.booknow.NoFitState/Carnation Tickets are limited.”
From: CARNATION in Bristol: 12 - 28 June

“The original, immersive, ‘piano bar musical’ making its UK DEBUT at Hen & Chicken, Bristol, over two special nights! Adv tickets £20 plus small booking fee at henandchicken.com Tickets on the door £24 cash only. Hot on the heels of a sold-out opening run, Jerseyman songwriter & piano-vocalist, Ant Noel, brings his swingin’ new production Midnight Joanna to the mainland. Featuring a 14-strong company of professional musicians & actors, Midnight Joanna is a thrilling night of rollicking rock 'n' roll, jivin' jazz, blistering blues & colourful cabaret. Come & soak up the atmosphere as we bring to life the neon characters of our late-night piano bar!”
From: Midnight Joanna: The Piano Bar Musical

“Our aim is to promote and cultivate Bristol's cabaret and performance art scene. It was born out of a need to address the lack of performance space available in Bristol for both complete beginners and more experienced performers that want to experiment with new material.”
From: SCRiTCH - Open Mic Cabaret