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A circus & physical theatre performance in Bristol

Circus and Physical Theatre Events in Bristol

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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.

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Our recent circus & physical theatre recommendations

Montpelier’s best-kept secret and a cherished resource for Bristol’s circus scene, The Albany throws open its doors for their annual cabaret spectacular. Expect comedy, acrobatics and dizzying aerial displays from the city’s best, with all funds helping to keep the centre alive for future generations of contortionists and clowns. An array of awesome circus and comedy acts to inspire and amaze!

Sell out warning! No one serves a raucous contortion and saucy drag cocktail quite like QUEER AS F*CK. They’re mixing a bumper NYE batch with sassy fireworks from local dramaturgic icon Tom Marshmann, lactose-loving milkman drag from the Dairy King + RED and RuPaul’s own Ginger Spice, Just May, leading the hi-NRG DJ charge. QAF sends out the year in the campest way possible at Bristol's hottest cabaret club-night.

Romanian master of style Mircea Cărtărescu discusses the new English translation of his 1996 cult novel Blinding – part of an ongoing effort to bring his visionary catalogue to light. Giant butterflies convulse beneath ice, conspiracies whisper from crystal halls, and bodies swell into music in an ecstatic study of adolescence, obsession, and imagination itself. Blinding: The Left Wing launch with Mircea Cărtărescu

An immersive, madcap night feat subversive comedy legend Alexei Sayle! Riot Act’s Halloween Spectacular blends stand-up, punk poetry, and outrageous cabaret, with performances from Redeeming Features, Bex Cant, Stephen Bisland, and TRASH BAGZ. Step up for three-minute open mic slots and unleash your own chaos on the stage! Clowning chaos. Punk poetry mayhem. Circus insanity and Stand-up galore. RIOT ACT- Bristol’s madcap Punk Cabaret Clubnight- proudly presents the very best in conscientious rascality and high-octane fun, powered for the people by the people.

What our editors say

“That is right, this is a Party Girl Productions x Fem Top Productions collaboration! We are bringing you all things family with a cabaret showcasing Bristol Drag houses followed by an Addams Family Values (1993) watch party with special surprise performances throughout the night.”
From: DRAG FAMILY VALUES: Party Girl Productions x FemTop < 3

“Final Major Projects 2026 Friday 1 - Friday 8 May, 7:30pm Join us over four nights to experience a mini-festival of new works presented by the graduating students from Circomedia’s degree programme! With a selection of different acts each night, this is a fantastic opportunity to support and celebrate the circus artists of the future as they showcase their circus and performance skills. Check back in the New Year for information of each of the artists’ acts! Dates & Times: Friday 2 - Friday 8 May, 7:30pm Tickets: £12 full price, £8 concessions Age Guideline: TBC Location: St Paul’s Church, BS2 8SJ Tickets at https://www.circomedia.com/fmps-2026/”
From: Final Major Projects 2026 Night 3

“Burgundy Rose has training in theatre, dance and aerial circus, which influences their personal style. In 2019 they were awarded a ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ grant from Arts Council England to deepen their research across rope, dance and physical theatre. Their shibari teaching and creative performances have taken them across London, Manchester, Bristol, Brussels, Berlin, Copenhagen, Prague, Athens, Rotterdam and Portland (USA).”
From: BOUND IN BRISTOL

“Hopefully hopeful, The Rest of Our Lives is a joyful dose of dance, theatre, circus and games. A cabaret of life and near death. Two middle-aged lives in an eclectic, spontaneous, predictable and random decline.”
From: The Rest of Our s

“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 BRISTOL