The Revel Puck Circus is returning to Walthamstow this winter, pitching its Little Top in Town Square Gardens for a festival running from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Top of the bill is CLOWN, a world premiere stage adaptation of Sir Quentin Blake's children's picture book. It follows a toy clown thrown out with the rubbish who sets off to find a new home — a story the company tells through aerial work, acrobatics and physical comedy rather than dialogue, which makes it suitable for children from nursery age up to Year 6.
Blake himself gave the adaptation his blessing. "I am delighted Clown will be brought to new audiences in this unique form," he said, adding that he was "appropriately speechless".
CLOWN runs at 11am and 1pm from Thursday to Sunday, with dedicated weekday performances for school and nursery groups.
Alongside it comes the return of Fête du Puck, the company's celebration of circus past, present and future, staged in a newly designed mini big top. It plays at 4.30pm and 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays, with extra 2.30pm and 5pm shows on Saturdays and Sundays.
What stands out is how much of the festival is built around the borough. The company is working with Waltham Forest's Future Formed programme on youth employment training, and has set aside discounted £3 tickets for local residents, distributed through community organisations. Every performance is semi-relaxed as standard, with level access, wheelchair spaces and free carer seats, and there are dedicated SEND performances too.
"Waltham Forest isn't just where we perform; it's home," said Luke Hallgarten, the circus's founder.
Preview performances on 3 and 4 December are discounted by 30 per cent, at a £10 flat rate. Tickets went on sale on 16 September through the company's Tixr page or by emailing [email protected]. The venue is The Revel Puck Circus Little Top, Walthamstow Town Square Gardens, E17 7JH.
