Acts and Artists
We can’t wait to welcome these incredible artists to Stroud. Keep checking back for new names
Cast of ‘The Briar and The Bramble’
Klodi Dabkiewicz, a Polish-born British citizen based in London, has cultivated a dynamic career spanning rhythmic gymnastics, sports aerobic (earning multiple titles as a Polish Champion), dance, and circus arts. She graduated from the University of Physical Education with a Master’s Degree and holds a Guinness World Record.
Her professional journey has seen her performing in prestigious venues and events across the world. Her acts have graced top-level Cabarets, Dinner shows, Dance and Fashion shows, Theatrical and Corporate events, including appearances with renowned companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Lio Ibiza, Cirque Eloize, Formula 1 Monaco GP, Paris and British Fashion Shows, GOP Variete, Art on Ice, La Clique, La Soiree, and London Royal Opera House.
Yann LeBlanc, born in Canada, embarked on his circus journey at the age of 8. By 15, he had joined one of the most prestigious institutions, the National Circus School of Montreal. After graduating in 2010, Yann worked with the world’s leading companies, including Cirque Éloize, The 7 Fingers, Cirque du Soleil, and GOP, performing in over 35 countries. Renowned for his versatility, Yann excels in hand-to-hand, cyr wheel, stacking chairs, juggling, teeterboard, Russian swing, and banquine.
Away from the spotlight, Klodi and Yann cherish their roles as proud parents to their adorable 2-year-old, Zaya.
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Gordon Marquez – Back by popular demand! This world-class juggler is making a return to The Festival of Wonder. A well-seasoned performer, he has exhibited his talent on stages across the globe. His act is sure to impress!
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Marco Cardoso is a versatile and seasoned magician based in London, known for his engaging performances that combine theatrical flair, humour, and audience interaction. Inspired early on by magic legends and with years of experience under his belt, he brings unforgettable moments of wonder to events across the UK.
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Lileth Chinn is singer and performer based in London with a love for traditional folk song and dance. Over the last few years, Lileth has been involved in Giffords and Fools Delight circus. She hosts “Songs on the Water”, the popular folk night at The Theatreship in Canary Wharf. This year she has been honoured to play with Martin Carthy and record for the Les Caravans charity album.
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Duncan McTaggart is a multi-instrumentalist, playing mostly traditional English music. You will find him most days at a London session playing cittern, whistle and accordion.
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Nicholas Hann is a saxophone player and singer based in London. He is just back from two seasons of touring with the Giffords circus band. He enjoys learning flutes and whistles from around the world.
Performing in ‘The Briar And The Bramble” (Friday and Saturday)
Special Guests – Gala Performance
Tweedy the Clown’s first job after leaving school was pantomime and he has since appeared in pantomimes throughout the country for over 30 years.
He has been at the heart of local circus for over 17 years, bringing new comic routines year afer year. He is accomplished in most circus skills, magic and is proficient at playing various musical instruments. For two years, Tweedy was featured clown on Ringling Brothers, and Barnum and Bailey shows, playing such prestigious venues as Madison Square Garden and The Staples Centre, LA.
Most recently in 2024 he did a UK tour of his own circus Tweedy’s Massive Circus, which played to packed houses, received rave reviews and was a big hit at The Edinburgh Fringe, leading him to be put on The List Magazine Top 100 issue.
Tweedy has won many comedy awards and his talents are much in demand in circus, theatre, TV and film, both at home and abroad. He has built up a cult following which includes a number of celebrities. In King Charles III’s very first New Year Honours list, Tweedy was awarded the British Empire Medal and has just published his first children’s book Tweedy: The Clown Who Lost His Nose.
Performing at The Gala (Saturday)
Stroud-based singer-songwriter Asha McCarthy brings her amazing guitar and music loops, performing her unique songs which blends her background in North Indian classical music with Irish folk.
Performing at The Gala (Saturday)
Whispers and Wings
Festival favourites School of Larks are back for 2025.
A local circus school offering over 20 weekly classes in aerial arts and circus skills. They provide an accessible environment for all ages and abilities to train and empower their own creativity. They say you’re never too old to run away with the circus!
Their highly skilled team deliver classes, events, holiday workshops and performances. To find out more please visit their website: School of Larks or email info@schooloflarks.com to join a free taster classes.
Performing at: ‘Whispers and Wings’ – Friday Night Show Case
And running their own Workshop on Sunday Afternoon
Aimee Rose Bennett is a contemporary circus artist and teacher of circus arts, specialising in aerial and acrobatics. Having grown up in Stroud, her aerial education started with Stroud-based School of Larks, where she was one of the school’s first students. Aimee went on to study at Circomedia, Bristol, graduating with a BA(hons) degree in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre in 2020.
She has performed across the UK and Europe (‘Skeleton Woman’ at Jackson’s Lane, London; Alone’ at CircA Auch, France; ‘Finisterre’ at Nuit de Cirque, Hannover, Germany). Aimee is delighted to be returning to her hometown for the Festival of Wonder 2025 for several special performances over the festival weekend.
Performing at: Whispers And Wings (Friday), Coffee And Circus (Saturday) and The Finale: Circus Of The Soul (Sunday).
Claudia Weston grew up local to Stroud before heading to London for drama school. After a decade immersed in theatre TV and film, life’s next act brought motherhood and a return home. Claudia trained as a yoga teacher and then circus called in the form of aerial. Claudia co-founded School of Larks and has been teaching aerial for around 10 years. Every so often she performs on the static trapeze. Claudia loves this exciting artform and is forever inspired by the possibilities that circus brings.
Performing in: ‘Whispers and Wings’ (Friday) and on Sunday Morning
Saturday Day Time
Back for another year Thomas Trilby is an experienced international performer who mixes skills and comedy to entertain and amaze the whole family. From Birmingham to Bahrain and Cardiff to Cairo he has thrilled and engaged all ages!
Thomas Trilby’s family show is a fast moving hybrid of skills (juggling, plate spinning, diabolo and hat tricks) mixed with improvised comedy, audience interaction, plenty of silliness, some moments that will make you gasp in amazement and times you will groan at just how terrible his puns are. On his stilts he engages and interacts with ‘high level’ juggling skills!
Performing on Saturday
Also returning for 2025 are Ambitions Dance. This Gloucestershire based youth dance troupe will be performing their exuberant street dance guaranteed to inspire every young person who ever wanted to learn to dance. Come see what can be achieved.
Performing on Saturday
Painswick Community Choir, led by Sophie Sterckx, is an a capella choir who sing in 3-5 part harmony. For this years Festival of Wonder they will be performing a collection of choral compositions that reflect and celebrate the wonder and beauty of the natural world, including songs by Stroud based composers Eleanor Holliday, Sheila Macbeth and Sophie Sterckx. Sophie has been leading Painswick Community Choir since September 2011. The Choir meet on Monday evenings at The Painswick Centre. More info: www.sophiesterckx.co.uk
Performing on Saturday
The Magnificent Mr. Kai is a Stroud local who has been a keen juggler and entertainer for 15 years, working with children and adults around Gloucestershire as a performer and workshop leader.
His performance style draws a lot of inspiration from stand-up comedy rather than traditional circus acts. Kai is always looking for new ways to involve the audience in his shows as he finds the best jokes come from improvised audience interaction rather than scripted lines.
Kai has also joined the behind the scenes team for 2025 helping shape the Festival and share a performer’s perspective
Performing throughout the weekend.
Sunday
Jenny Sampson is a 17-year-old sixth-form student, currently rehearsing for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Cotswold Playhouse. She sings at Gloucester Cathedral and hopes to go to music school to study classical singing and opera.
Performing on Sunday Morning
Renewal Choir is a community gospel choir based in Bristol founded by Kim and Vernon Samuels in 2005. Choir members range from the young to the young at heart. These members represent a multitude of church traditions and non-church backgrounds who love to engage in various civic, festival, community and social events in and around the South West.
The choir has performed at events such as the BBC National Music Day, the Leona Lewis UK Tour in Bristol and Cardiff, on BBC Points West and at the High Sheriff of Bristol’s concert in June 2019. During the pandemic in 2020, Renewal Choir took part in a collaborative virtual production of ‘O Holy Night’ with the Welsh National Opera Community Chorus and toured with the Welsh National Opera in 2022 in Wales and England in a brand new opera – Migrations.
You can contact Renewal Choir via email: info@renewalchoir.org
Performing on Sunday Evening at ‘Circus Of The Soul Finale’