Circus / the invisible circus
Theatrical takeover of ‘Bristol’s best-kept secret’ draws large crowds
An interactive theatrical event showcasing the hidden histories of a Bristol quarter has managed to attract large crowds.
Christmas Steps, dubbed “Bristol’s best-kept secret,” was the subject of a theatrical takeover where stories representing a breadth of characters from the area were unearthed and retold.
The acclaimed theatre collective, The Invisible Circus, is the creative force behind the project. A diverse set of characters with connections to Christmas Steps came alive and roamed the streets, reclaiming their part of Bristol’s history.
is needed now More than ever
The crowds had the opportunity to meet and greet historic figures ranging from a pious preacher woman, a daring tightrope walker, a controversial medical man, a Royalist mercenary, a drag queen, and a pickpocketing gang.
Christmas Steps, dubbed “Bristol’s best-kept secret,” was the subject of a recent theatrical takeover – photo: Milan Perera
The Invisible Circus, which has been based in Bristol since 2005, took on the challenge of “making history come alive” with the power of authentic costumes and compelling storytelling, aided by a group of talented performers.
The travelling troubadours, who pride themselves on bringing the joy of performance arts to unexpected quarters of Bristol and beyond, undertook meticulous research and dramatisation of the stories, much to the delight of the visitors.
Sir Thomas Lunsford, a Royalist colonel recounting the death of his brother, Henry which took place on Christmas Steps – photo: Milan Perera
The historic characters you met on Christmas Steps were happy to talk to you about their misfortunes, triumphs, or, in some cases, impending doom.
Meet Sir Thomas Lunsford, a Royalist colonel who fought many battles for the King after receiving his pardon during the English Civil War.
Sir Thomas recounts his recent battles and is gearing up for another one in Hereford next week. Sir Thomas lamented the untimely demise of his brother, Henry. The colonel showed us where Henry was shot down on top of the steps.
The preacher Dorothy Hazard worshiped at Broadmead Baptist Church with her husband who was also a preacher bringing the Good News of the Lord to the masses – photo: Milan Perera
When you went down the steps, you met Dorothy Hazard, the female preacher who brings the Good News of the Lord: “The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Mrs Hazard reminds us that it is 1843 and she worships at the Baptist Church on Broadmead where her husband is also a preacher. But whatever you do, don’t mention the word Methodists, as she reserves a particular indignation against them.
Mrs Gladys Shufflewick, a towering presence in the pantheon of drag, among her adoring fans – photo: Milan Perera
At the bottom of the steps, there was a sizable gathering listening attentively to Mrs Gladys Shufflewick, a towering presence in the pantheon of drag. Her every double entendre and salacious story, which would have been scooped up by the tabloid press, were greeted with glee by the bystanders.
Carlos Trower, the stellar tightrope walker, once lived on Christmas Steps – photo: Milan Perera
A visitor climbing the steps could not help but notice the impressive figure of Carlos Trower outside his home.
Speaking to him, the visitor realises that once upon a time he was the toast of the town with his daring tightrope routines performed at Colston Hall in the 19th century.
Harriet and Francis from the touring African-American theatre troupe Jarrett and Palmer are in a spot of bother as they are running away from the police – photo: Milan Perera
Dubbed African Blondin, after Charles Blondin, the famed French acrobat, Trower was more than a performer but a figurehead in the fight against racial injustice. The African-American performer used his fame to promote the emancipation of enslaved people.
Climbing further up, one encounters two people cowering from the police. The visitors were told that they got into trouble with the police while performing in Bristol with their latest show – Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The performers, Harriet and Francis, were part of the touring African-American theatre troupe Jarrett and Palmer.
Dr Richard Smith Jr., anatomist extraordinaire recounting some of his career highlights with all the gory details – photo: Milan Perera
At the Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, adjoining the Foster’s Almshouses, Bristol’s infamous Dr Richard Smith Jr., also known as “Dr Death”, was busy showing the mildly shocked crowds his dealings with the dead bodies of executed criminals.
He recounted the ordeal of one such unhappy incident where he drilled the skull of a young woman named Eliza to remove a swelling which eventually caused her death.
The treatment of the body of the executed criminal John Horwood under the scalpel of Smith is not for the faint-hearted as the skilled surgeon excoriated the skin to be used for bookbinding after tanning.
Foster’s Almshouse near Christmas Steps was founded by the wealthy merchant John Foster as a refuge for the elderly poor – photo: Milan Perera
It was not only the curious visitors who welcomed the historic spectacle. The businesses that have been on Christmas Steps for years but never enjoyed the exposure they would have liked welcomed the project.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Brendan Fan and Ruth Williams, owners of the jewellery store on Christmas Steps, I Am Acrylic, said: “Not many people know that we are here. Sometimes people who live around the corner are unaware of the shops in the Christmas Steps. So, this is most welcome.”
Brendan Fan and Ruth Williams, owners of the jewellery store, I Am Acrylic welcomed the theatrical takeover as it signposted many people to the commercial quarter of Christmas Steps – photo: Milan Perera
Also speaking to Bristol24/7 was Trisha Barua from the popular restaurant The Scrandit.
She said: “Lots of people have lived all their lives here and don’t realise we have all these pockets of wonderful things. The Scrandit was a bottle shop years ago and people stumbled upon it and realised we have this great thing going on here.”
The project is the result of painstaking research of Dr Paul Green, which was put together under the guidance of Sarah Fielding (dramaturg), Netty Miles (producer) and the creative director Doug Francisco.
“Lots of people have lived all their lives here and don’t realise we have all these pockets of wonderful things here,” said Trisha Barua (left), member of staff at The Scrandit
Doug, who also played in the cast, expressed his delight at the production. He said: “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.
“Hidden tales are everywhere, and we’re digging deep into Bristol’s past to reveal not only the 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.”
Hidden Stories of the Steps is part of the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme, funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority.
“Hidden tales are everywhere, and we’re digging deep into Bristol’s past to reveal not only the dark and mysterious but the downright beautiful too,” said Doug Francisco, creative director of Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps – photo: Milan Perera
The cast returns to Christmas Steps on December 7 for another serving of Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps.
All photos: Milan Perera
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
