ITALIAN ROLLER SKATING DUO ARMANDO AND JANE SEND AUDIENCES DIZZY AS TOP CIRCUS ROLLS UP TO UTTOXETER RACECOURSE
Chipperfield's has never been anything less than pioneering. And rolling up to Uttoxeter Racecourse for the August Bank Holiday weekend, the country’s most renowned circus promises to maintain its reputation for jaw-dropping thrills and spills.
From clowns, to high-wire antics, a free-standing ladder, and incredible acrobatic skills, the show will very definitely be one to remember.
Uttoxeter Racecourse is welcoming Chipperfield’s in a 250th anniversary tribute to the original greatest showman, Philip Astley, the father of the modern circus, who was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1742 and opened his first circus in London in 1768 to the delight and astonishment of audiences.
In recent times, Chipperfield’s has again shown its originality by adding a thrilling skating act to its legion of top performers. Italians Armando and Jane reveal an amazing array of twists, turns, and holds while circling at speed on roller skates – on a table. And they cannot wait to reveal their skills to an audience at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
“It’s going to be an incredible few days,” says Armando, now in his 30s, but who has been skating since a child and has been performing with fiancée Jane for more than two years. “We have put together a great act which I know everybody will enjoy.”
Armando’s skills on skates are second to none, while Jane shows incredible feats of strength and balance as the pair perform a series of remarkable routines which defy both gravity and belief.
“Skating like we do is a skill,” explains Armando. “I have been skating since I was a child but skating in a circus, and performing to the very best of our ability, takes a lot of practice.
“It is hard work but the reaction of the audience makes it worthwhile every time. There is a lot they will enjoy, like our neck to neck spin and lots of acrobatics. We perform it all on a round table. It is very dangerous, very fast, but we know what we are doing.”
Armando and Jane perform hundreds of times in cities across Europe every year. “The whole thing of being in a circus appeals to us both so much,” says Armando. “We love being able to travel and see new places, new towns. Also, working as a duo means we see so much of each other, which is great because we are soon to be married. We met three years ago and formed the act together. It’s fantastic. Jane comes from a theatrical family so performing comes naturally to her and I come from generations of a circus family myself.”
Chipperfield’s 2018 award-winning non-animal production, from the 7th generation of the original Chipperfield Circus family, is full of fun, laughter and excitement.
“It’s not often we get to stay and perform at a racecourse so that will be really special,” reflects Armando. “It will be great to have a new audience come to see us. Our act is not something you see every day.”
Uttoxeter plays host to Chipperfield’s from August 25-27. There will be four 30 minute shows each day, at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm, with ticket prices to suit all-comers. Performances are followed by a 30-minute circus skills workshop, where people can have a try at some of their favourite acts – a great chance to meet and talk to some of the circus world’s finest performers.
“We are hugely excited to be welcoming Chipperfield’s Circus,” says Hayley Plimley, Uttoxeter Racecourse’s head of sales and marketing, “especially in what is a momentous year in the timeline of the modern circus.
“Philip Astley was one of the great pioneers of mass entertainment and as a distinguished horseman I’m sure he would be delighted to see his memory marked with the greatest UK circus of modern times coming to a racing venue which also gives so much pleasure to so many.”
Delivering a first-class tourism offer all year round, Uttoxeter is home to 25 race fixtures per annum, including the Betfred Midlands Grand National, Music Live Race Night, Ladies Night, Great British Family Funday, and Summer Cup, as well as hugely popular events such as the Marston’s Beer Festival and Acoustic Festival Of Great Britain.
Tickets for Chipperfield’s Uttoxeter Racecourse shows are available on the day or can be purchased online at www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk at a reduced price.
