Brighton Festival circus transforms quiet street with 9 stages

Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular, in Elder Place, off London Road, Brighton, is a sight to behold with nine stages and 33 performers.

From aerialists and wrestlers to illusionists and glass walkers, the show is set in an outdoor arena and guests are invited to walk around the different stages and take in each performer’s act for the first 30 minutes of the 55 minute extravaganza.

The sideshows include magicians, storytellers and hula hoopers.

Later, ticket holders are invited to see wrestling at the ring and the show closes with a magical aerialist performance.

Crowds looked up in awe as aereialist Jackie Le practically flew through the sky, contorting her body into all sorts of incredible shapes as she did so.

The circus is made up of only women and non-binary performers and is the largest gathering of said performers in the UK over the bank holiday weekend.

• READ MORE: Tourists react to new entry fee at Brighton Palace Pier

The performers are taking over the street for 14 performances as part of the final weekend of Brighton Festival.

The show aims to “celebrate the forgotten women of circus and the city’s history of seaside variety”.

Aerialist Jackie Li (Image: Chloe Hashemi/Brighton Festival)

Marisa Carnesky said: “Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular sees our female led company bring something truly spectacular and magnificent to Brighton Festival, drawing together leading women from the worlds of new cabaret and circus for the first time.

"It also marks 30 years of my practice as an artist and showwoman and I’m very excited and proud to celebrate the legacy of extraordinary seaside women performers in the magical city of Brighton.”

Tickets cost 15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £7.50 for under 18s. Under fives go free to shows before 4pm.

Performances start on the hour, every hour, from 2pm until 8pm today, and from 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.