The ‘hidden’ stories of one of Bristol’s most famous streets will be brought to life by circus performers on two afternoons, starting this Saturday (November 2).
The Invisible Circus is to launch a ‘theatrical take over’ of the Christmas Steps this Saturday afternoon, and say they will ‘peel back the layers of time and plunge headfirst into the untold, the bizarre and the spellbinding history’ of the iconic steeply-stepped street.
The first runs this Saturday from 2pm to 6.30pm, while the second is on the first Saturday in December – the 7th – between the same times.
People shopping in the street at the time will be treated to ‘an unforgettable journey through time, with immersive performances, fascinating characters, and awe inspiring stories’.
Becky Boucherat, the project’s manager, said there will be everything from ‘sailors and soldiers to circus legends and scandalous criminals’
“Thanks to the incredible true stories unearthed by Dr. Paul Green, we’ve been spoiled for inspiration,” she said.
“Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps promises a wild ride through Bristol’s past, where fact meets fiction, and history blends with art. We’re collaborating with local businesses and residents to celebrate the eclectic spirit of Christmas Steps today, while weaving in the twists, turns, and mysteries of its colourful past,” she added.
“This is history, but not as we know it. History lovers can expect ghostly characters and lost spirits to interrupt their exploration of the street and invite them into the past; historical figures leaping out of dusty books and into the spotlight; street corners transformed into stages for tragedy, triumph, and everything in between.
“Meet Carlos Trower, the daring high-rope walker who lived on Christmas Steps in 1876, and John Chandler Langdon, a sailor whose stories of adventure will leave you breathless. Whether it’s the gripping tales of the Bristol Guineamen or the eerie echoes of John Horwood, executed and skinned into a book – every corner of Christmas Steps has a secret waiting to be revealed,” she added.
Doug Francisco is the creative director of the Invisible Circus. He said the area of the Christmas Steps was ‘bursting with history’.
“We’ve been bringing the unseen histories and untold stories to life for decades, and now we’re unlocking one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets – Christmas Steps,” he said.
“Hidden tales are everywhere, and we’re digging deep into Bristol’s past to reveal the not only dark and mysterious, but the downright beautiful too. This area is bursting with history, the ancient steps paved in myth and legend, and we’re excited to write a new chapter while we uncover old ones,” he added.
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