Tweedy's Massive Circus :
The Big Number 2!
Tweedy, the firm favourite from the famous Gifford’s Circus, is taking his own act on a small tour this Spring, and it’s well worth a visit for some good family friendly fun.
The first stop over the Easter holidays is at Millets Farm Centre, Frilford, just outside Oxford/Abingdon. For anyone who doesn’t know Millets, this is a fantastic place to bring your small people, with animals, and a farm shop, soft play barn and garden centre and lots else to do. And what a perfect end to a trip there to see this circus show.
This is a mini circus. Essentially 3 people, Tweedy the clown, Charlie Bicknell as Lady Crinklebottom, and sidekick Sam Goodburn. All three ably assisted by a couple of stage managers and sound guy, all of whom occasionally take centre stage as well. But it’s definitely quality and not quantity, as what this small cast manages to produce in the Big Top is plenty of laughs, with a few thrills thrown in with the chaos and slapstick.
The scene is set at the start with comedy music and a (battery operated) hamster in a ball, and then Tweedy enters in a Little Tykes toy car with a twist. What follows is plenty of set pieces, all of which delight the youngsters in the audience. There is a very well performed hypnotised juggling piece with Tweedy and Sam. There is plenty of audience participation, some more active than others! The children were clearly up for getting involved, all of which was encouraged, especially by Tweedy with his twinkling smile and infectious personality. There were a few references to “6…7”, obviously designed to delight the children.
Charlie Bicknell as Lady Crinklebottom, the circus owner, who wants to be the star, is the foil to Tweedy’s madness, and more than makes her mark. She sings whilst on the trapeze and ropes, and plays the comedy full tilt. Sometimes tilted…upside down! There was a particularly lovely moment when she performed “Send in the clowns”, avoiding the cliches. Health and safety fans might have their eyes behind their hands in some horror, and there were certainly some ingenious uses of masking tape!
Tweedy’s Massive Circus - The Big Number 2 - is Tweedy’s second solo outing. You can imagine the audience participation and play on 'number 2'…much to the audience delight!
It is well worth catching this Easter at Millets or on its tour across Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds and Wiltshire. Take the family or go and get back in touch with your inner child and laugh out loud!
This show was reviewed on the 27th March 2026. Full tour details can be found here: Tweedy's Massive Circus | The Big Number 2
Review written by Ruth Hawkins
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Photo credit: Provided by production
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