A spectacular circus show full of storytelling, tall tales, myths and mystery
8th & 9th March 2024
Presented by Skylight Circus Arts
In rehearsal with Grania, Associate Director and Gil, Director
Young aerialists Jasmine & Suzana with Annette, aerial tutor
Artist Kerith (centre) Ogden discusses pop-up book plans with (L-R) Martine, Peter & Suzana
Welcome to Sparrow Hill, a storied and historic part of Rochdale. Home to Skylight Circus Arts and scene of our eponymous show and its spectacular setting- the beautiful St.Chad’s Parish Church.
Over 6 months in the making, our team, participants and the performers you’ll see in today’s show have uncovered fascinating historic stories, created a giant pop-up book, costumes, props and sets. All supported by professional artists, composers, musicians and students from Salford University’s BA (Hons) Technical Theatre (Production and Design) course.
More than 50 performers- jugglers, unicyclists, aerialists and more- along with children from Broadfield Primary School will bring ‘Sparrow Hill’ to life through the magic of circus.
The mysterious origins of the church, mischievous goblins, stained-glass windows come to life along with grey stone stewards who see all as time passed over Sparrow Hill.
We’re excited to share this production with you and hope you enjoy the show as much as we have making it. If you’re inspired by what you see, come and join our circus. Everyone is welcome.
Martine Bradford, Creative Director, Skylight Circus Arts
After filling up on the slugs, snails and beasties on the church floor, the ‘3 for a shilling’ hedgehogs are hungry for knowledgebut what on earth is it they’ve found?
The Sparrows and Tim Bobbin’s Teeth Caricaturist and Lancashire Dialect poet Tim Bobbin is buried in St Chad’s Churchyard. It is rumoured that the Sparrows still talk to him.
Guardians of the book, story smiths and seers of all things.
Flowing, lapping, splashing. The foundation upon which a town is built. The River Roch.
When Gamel the Thane wanted St Chad’s church to be built by the river, someone - or something - else had a better idea.
How many people over time have climbed the 120 odd steps and caught their breath by leaning on the tree at the top? Is that how it became so wonky?
Did you know Goblins love nothing more than a huge circus party? Unfortunately they can be quite disruptive!
A clock set in a tower will be there for all eyes to see, until it isn’t any more. But even though the clock may be gone - does time still pass?
In Victorian times the ‘gymnasium’ was a gathering place for adults and children to swing upside down on trapezes, swing heavy clubs and create pyramids with their bodies! It was right where Broadfield school lies today.
Who’s robbing the graves?
A couple of shady characters were found to have been grave robbing in Victorian times. What a mucky way to make a living.
Have you seen the famous Burne Jones window?
Faith, Hope and Charity. But our Gargoyle protector knows that it also shows the opposites - Despair, Hatred and Greed.
Martine hard at work with Jamie, one of Skylight’s lovely volunteers
Pop-up book in all its glory with storytellers Profs Chapman & Bradford
Credits Director
Gil Burns
Creative Director
Martine Bradford
Associate Director
Grania Pickard
Visual Artist
Kerith Ogden
Music Composed & Recorded by Steve Broomhead
Live Musicians
Chords & Fiddles- Ben Chadwick & Erin Croake
Project Coordination & Production Management
Mick Chapman
Aerial Tutor
Annette Force
Arts Administrator & Circus Tutor
Charma Force
Funding & Development Manager & Content Production
Dawn Pierson
CEO, Marketing & Operations
David Allen
Graphic Design
Alison Skinner
Photography
Ian Hodgson
Jessica White
Elsa Earl
BSL Interpreter
Jackie Maxim
Chaperones
Anne-Marie McNab
Claire Barnes
Production Crew
Production Director
Liam Whittaker
Production Manager
Kirby Hoyle
Stage Managers
Abigail Rustage
Ellie Fitzharris
Lighting Designer
Cade Hodkinson
Sound Designer
Jake Forster
Rod Crew Manager
Martin Degnan
Aliza Qureshi, Amelia Phillips, Annette Force, Callie Charnlet, Caryce Leigh Brierley, Chantelle Sparrow, Charlie Simpson, Charma Force, Danni Hall, Darci Hall, David Lloyd, Eira Short, Fia James, Gil Burns, Gracie - Anne Curtis, Greta Green, Isabella Thorp, Isabelle Crossley, Jamie Moran, Jane Slater, Jasmine Johnston, Jemima Qureshi, Jim Riley, Joey Gilligan, Jonathan Fairley, Lily May Charnley, Linda K Keane, Louisa Thomas, Madeline Schofield, Maggie Joan Haggas, Mara Reynolds, Margaret Benjamin, Martine Bradford, Mia RansomeJohns, Nicola Few, Niparun Nessa, Oliver Mark, Peter Gunby, Peter Hurst , Philip Bloor, Savannah Smith, Simon “Smuzz” Mark Short, Sue Carter, Suzana Wolska, Talula Saeedi, Tracey Karwas, Zion Mytton
Isa, Ava, Gracie Mae, Macey, Rosy, Melvin, Matin, Sophia, Lucedi, Maisha, Kasandra, Emaan
With kind support from
Mrs Dardis - Headteacher
Mr Hargreaves- Class Teacher
Mr Coldman- Teaching Assistant
Mrs Crossley- Art / Music Lead
Mrs Arnall- Class Teacher
Mr Freeman- Class Teacher
Skylight Circus Arts is a tiny charity with a small but dedicated team. However, it takes a huge effort to create and stage a full circus show. ‘Sparrow Hill’ was only made possible through the help of many organisations and people who provided funding, support and expertise.
We’d particularly like to thank Reverend Anne Gilbert and the St.Chad’s Trust, especially Peter Goddard & Sue Arkle, for their generosity in spirit, time and of course in providing an incredible venue.
The project was funded by Arts Council England, Henry Smith Charity, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Rochdale Public Health and our friends in the Rochdale Borough Culture Network. Thanks should go to Penny Thompson, Jonathan Oppe, Katie Moule and Dianne Gardener and Paul Hayward for their help in securing this support.
We couldn’t have created the show without the support of Kelli Zezulka, Salford University’s Technical Theatre (Production Design) Course Leader, Liam Whittaker and second year students who assumed stage management and production duties. Special thanks to Janet Byrne and Shakra Butt from Touchstones’ Local Studies and Colin Meredith for his unique local history input.
Thanks to Gilly Baskeyfield, M6 Theatre and Kate Webb, Extraordinary Bodies for their continued creative support.
The staff at Skylight would also like to thank our volunteers, in particular Jamie Moran and Jackie Maxim and our Board of Trustees who donate their time and knowledge. Special mention goes to Jane Hurn who has recently stepped down after nearly two decades of service.
Finally, Skylight relies on the kindness of people like you to keep our loss-making classes running and our prices down. If you can support us you’ll be helping us to keep circus accessible for all. You can donate in person at the end of the show or via our website or the QR code below. Don’t forget to tick the ‘Gift Aid’ option to boost your donation from government funds.
If you’d like to find out more about the project and see behind the scenes of how we created the show you can read the Sparrow Hill project blog on our website.
