| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
Cos life's a bleedin' Circus
The story so far...
Episode 31: Good cheer
Episode 30: The field of fear
Episode 29: If you don't like my peaches
Episode 28: Normal for Nettleby
Episode 27: Being wanted
Episode 26: Ring size
Episode 25: Eyes and ears
Episode 24: Drop the elephant
Episode 23: Fire fighting
Episode 22: Prospects
Episode 21: Night thoughts
Episode 20: First night
Episode 19: Animals and acrobats
Episode 18: Drinks at Davido's
Episode 17: Moving on
Episode 16: Superior sorts
Episode 15: Last orders
Episode 14: The guardian angel
Episode 13: All the fun of the fair
Episode 12: Madame Stevens
Episode 11: The Big Top at midnight
Episode 10: Scuttle's new home
Episode 9: A new freak
Episode 8: The risk takers
Episode 7: The clown's apprentice
Episode 6: The Great Davido and Daisy
Episode 5: Why people love the clown
Episode 4: Audition day
Episode 3: The child and the clown
Episode 2: Burt Turtle's grand performance
Episode 1: When the clowning stops
More every Monday and Thursday!
Burt Turtle's Amazingly Big Top has been in the family for generations. Acrobats and clowns, fire eaters and freaks, stilt men, trapeze artists and uptight tightrope walkers – they've come and gone down the years. But throughout and through all, the circus has remained, the circus has endured. The Big Top goes up; the Big Top comes down; from town to town, the show goes on, always the same. Roll up, roll up!
But for how much longer? Times they are a-changing, and what was once is not now so; the new order wants its day. There's big money to be made and lucrative contracts to be signed, if the old guard can be persuaded to leave. And the old guard starts with Burt himself, a man who's overstayed his welcome. Perhaps he will go peacefully; that would be best. But if he refuses to oblige? Well, as everyone is aware, the circus can be a dangerous place if you're not prepared...
You know, sometimes there's more happening outside the Ring than there is in it! Ladeez and Gennulmen, Kiddies and Creeps – let the show begin!
Topping the Bill in the Big Top!
Jess the Clown – Oh dear! What if Mr Happy is sad?!
Burt Turtle – He's trying to hold himself and the circus together!
Ringo the Ring Master – Knows what he wants, loud and throaty clear!
Scuttle the Dwarf – Alcoholic loose cannon. Watch out!
Tent-peg Ted – Circus handyman; mending this; oiling that!
The Great Davido – Brilliant acrobatic toff, with a very large ambition!
Daisy – The kind keeper of the animals; but who will keep her??
Young Lee – He doesn't know what he wants! He's only young!
Samantha – High wire babe; more than just ribbon, twirl and sparkle!
Georgio the Contortionist – Pudge-faced oik-hater, and the Great Davido's sidekick!
Teresa Turtle – The big heart of the Big Top! |
