Parade of Horribles

Parade of Horribles (1st phase 2013), was at Skylight Circus Arts, Rochdale and Black-E, Liverpool. The premise was to address what people don’t want to talk about (perhaps Climate Psychology), talk about them on the street, and then create celebratory micro-experiences with live performance. Then, in 2021, with an Unlimited commission, we worked in Bristol at The Invisible Circus’ iconic creation space, Unit 15 (now sadly lost), Bristol Old Vic, and through Arc, Stockton-on Tees.

We spent days talking to strangers in the streets, responding with micro-performances, animating a metal structure on wheels. We asked what gave people joy and what people might like to celebrate - creating momentary public sculptures. We asked what people were scared of - resulting in The Fear Juggler, and a game of Pass the Buck.

Parade of Horribles was a career-halting and yet defining endeavour and a tax on mental health. There remains a strong, ongoing ambition to connect with people around the darker issues we face. Parade cemented a desire to be outdoors, to give exposure to the arts for free and constantly explore how to embed better access as a creative tool. Waiting Song evolved directly from Parade, and Box of Frogs 2 will respond directly to learning around producing and presenting outdoor arts in a meaningful manner.