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

A rare treat for radical thespians: Worms Theatre hosts a playful, beginner’s-friendly deep dive into Augusto Boal’s revolutionary practice, culminating in a Forum Theatre play at the end of the course. Theatre of the Oppressed reframes ‘acting’ as a vehicle for social change, encouraging anarchic audience participation and providing a safe space to practice real-life resistance. Theatre of the Oppressed 10-Week Course at The Trinity Centre.

Robert Aldrich’s psycho-biddy masterpiece often gets unfairly eclipsed by Psycho and Rosemary’s Baby. Bette Davis is absolutely unhinged in this one, playing an aging child star left to care for her wheelchair-bound sister (Joan Crawford). A monochrome nightmare, a vicious send-up of showbiz, and a bleak examination of the damage wrought by childhood fame; Baby Jane is a must-see for all serious horror fans. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? + Panel 12 7.00pm at Bristol Improv Theatre.

Sell out warning! Bristol Porn Festival digs into the raunchier end of the moving image, bringing together short films by queer artists and sex-workers from Bristol and beyond. Hosted by local filthmongers Maya Poison and Pixie Sin, with ceramic awards for the evening’s most salacious offerings hand-crafted by Bunny Royle. Leave your inhibitions at the door.... Bristol Porn Film Festival at The Cube.

Sell out warning! Aunt Gladys is for the gays! Zach Cregger’s Weapons gifted us a high-camp queer icon, and it was only a matter of time ‘til it got the signature Ghoulboss drag-horror treatment. Cue Drag Dungoneers’ Boohooman, enthralling enigma Mariana Trench and the fantastical Garbitch, all serving up creepy-chic cabaret mayhem and ghoulish mystery. Ghoulboss Productions Presents: WEAPONZ at Zed Alley.

What our editors say

“Bring in the new year in the best way, Queer as F*ck is back at Trinity for another electric NYE party - ft. our signature mix of cabaret and club-night dripping from head to (high) heel in circus, drag, and debauchery.”
From: QUEER AS F*CK’s New Year’s Eve Party

“Untamed Burlesque started in 2016 by Mx Violent May and after a year of hibernating; we have a found a new home in the heart of Bristol! Untamed Burlesque features the rawest, wildest and UNTAMED Burlesque and cabaret stars from the South West and further afield This is an alternative burlesque show and ain't your gran's burlesque! Untamed Burlesque aims to platform LGBTQIA+ performers and give them a platform for them to shake what they got and make a statement!”
From: Untamed Burlesque

“Hosted by the Bristol’s very own Burt Lash, A Burt Lash Cabaret shines the spotlight on everything cabaret has to offer – from dazzling drag and side-splitting comedy to live music, burlesque, and beyond. All hosted in Bristols home of drag comedy.”
From: A BURT LASH CABARET

“Together, they’re hoping to shave valuable seconds off their busy Christmas Eve schedule by gathering crucial stocking location and roof landing intel ahead of time. Are you up to the challenge of helping our festive heroes with their quest? Get a peek into their enchanting world, see Snowball play with her favourite snow elf circus toys, enjoy a Q&A with Santa and more. They’ll also answer the big questions of the Santa story and show glimpses of their Christmas magic. Come and see why the show has been selling out venues from Tobacco Factory Theatres to Soho House and beyond! Guaranteed to bring a sense of fun, mischief and anticipation to all.”
From: Santa & Snowball Preview Show

“FIST CLUB is a queer cabaret and pro-wrestling night, aka your new favourite pastime. Feast your eyes on a dynamite mash-up of fantastical comedy, sensational drag performers & hard-hitting live wrestling from the most exciting grapplers around!”
From: Fist Club Bristol