Sparrow Hill Circus by Skylight Circus Arts

A spectacular circus show full of storytelling, tall tales, myths and mystery 8th & 9th March 2024 Presented by Skylight Circus Arts

Artist Kerith (centre) Og den discusses p op-up book plans with (L-R) Martine , Peter & Suza na

In rehearsal with Grania, Associate Director and Gil, Director

Young aerialists na Jasmine & Suza with Annette, aerial tutor

Welcome!

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

Sparrow Hill Scene Rundown Director’s Notes

Gargoyles Guardians of the book, story smiths and seers of all things.

Where the River Flows Flowing, lapping, splashing.

The foundation upon which a town is built. The River Roch.

Moving the Stones When Gamel the Thane wanted St Chad’s church to be built by the river, someone - or something - else had a better idea.

The 120 odd Steps and the Wonky Tree 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?

Hungry Hedgehogs After filling up on the slugs, snails and beasties on the church floor, the ‘3 for a shilling’ hedgehogs are hungry for knowledge but 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.

Goblin Circus Party Did you know Goblins love nothing more than a huge circus party? Unfortunately they can be quite disruptive!

The Clock 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?

The Victorian Circus of Sparrow Hill 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.

The Windows 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.

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Martine hard at wo

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volunteers

Silver Circu s member s hard at research w ith Local S tudies

Testing ideas

Local History (in

lin Meredith

the rain) with Co

Credits Director

Graphic Design

Gil Burns

Alison Skinner

Creative Director

Photography

Martine Bradford

Ian Hodgson Jessica White Elsa Earl

Associate Director Grania Pickard

BSL Interpreter Visual Artist

Jackie Maxim

Kerith Ogden

Chaperones 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

Anne-Marie McNab Claire Barnes

Production Crew Production Director Liam Whittaker

Production Manager Kirby Hoyle

Stage Managers Abigail Rustage Ellie Fitzharris

Charma Force

Lighting Designer

Funding & Development Manager & Content Production

Sound Designer

Dawn Pierson

Jake Forster

CEO, Marketing & Operations

Rod Crew Manager

David Allen

Martin Degnan

Cade Hodkinson

Cast 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

Additional Cast Pupils of Broadfield Community Primary School 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

Thanks 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.

Join us. Book us. Support us. skylightcircusarts.com