Parade of Horribles

Parade of Horribles began in 2013, at Skylight Circus Arts, Rochdale and The Black-E, Liverpool. The premise was to address things that people do not want to talk about (like Climate Psychology) and talk about them on the street, to create celebratory or therapeutic micro-experiences of live performance. With an Unlimited commission in 2021 more ideas were explored in Bristol at The Invisible Circus’ iconic creation space, Unit 15 (now sadly lost), Bristol Old Vic, and a residency at Arc, Stockton-on Tees.

We spent weeks out in the streets talking to strangers, responding with performance devices, inhabiting a metal structure on wheels. We asked what gave people joy and what people might like to celebrate - mocking up public sculptures on the spot. We asked what people were scared of - resulting in The Fear Juggler, and our game of Pass the Buck.

Parade of Horribles was a career-halting and defining endeavour, a tax on mental health, an ongoing, standout ambition to connect with people over the dark issues we face. Parade has cemented a desire to be in the streets, offering exposure to the arts for free and constantly updating access ambition. Waiting Song evolved directly from Parade, and the Box of Frogs 2 will be responding directly to lessons learnt about producing and presenting outdoor arts in a meaningful manner.