Woolwich Works Launches New Circus & Cabaret Programme For 2026

Woolwich Works has announced a new circus and cabaret programme for 2026, marking a major new chapter in the South East London venue's artistic development.

Building on the success of recent large-scale immersive events, including Easter's acclaimed installation Luminarium: Myriad, the Royal Arsenal venue will present a dynamic line-up of contemporary circus, physical theatre, cabaret and family-friendly spectacle throughout the year — taking advantage of Woolwich Works' unique industrial architecture, soaring ceilings and expansive courtyard spaces.

The new programme has been spearheaded by Woolwich Works Programmer Ade Berry, formerly of renowned circus venue Jacksons Lane, and reflects a growing commitment from the venue to establish itself as a significant new home for circus and cabaret in London.

Aircraft Circus: Sizzling Hot Circus

The season launches on Saturday 30 May with the thrilling Aircraft Circus: Sizzling Hot Circus, an adults-only cabaret spectacular directed by Lucy Francis and featuring 14 performers and a live band. Featuring aerialists, dancers and extraordinary physical performers, the show blends seductive cabaret with jaw-dropping circus artistry — including silks, aerial hoop, straps and the spectacular quads trapeze — in what promises to be one of the venue's standout visual events of the summer.

Queer Euphoria

Pride Month sees acclaimed circus artist Zaki Musa curate and perform in Queer Euphoria (19 June), a bold celebration of queer creativity across circus and cabaret. Bringing together established and emerging artists, the evening promises unapologetic self-expression, immersive performance and boundary-pushing artistry infused with passion, energy and pride.  Joining Zaki on the line-up will be Danny Ash, Lavender Bast, Breakfast in Drag, Mahatma Khandi, Duane Nasis and Jay They Stallion.

Drag & Fab

LGBTQ+ Greenwich make a return to Woolwich Works on 11 July for their unique Drag & Fab event.  This isn't just a drag show, it's a spectacular, high-energy queer cabaret showcasing a dazzling spectrum of London's drag kings, queens and non-binary royalty.  From quirky comedy to captivating live vocals, expect glamour, glitz, sauciness, naughtiness and some audience participation.

Physical Theatre

The new programme also showcases a strong strand of inventive contemporary physical theatre and clowning. Award-winning performer Darryl J Carrington returns to Woolwich Works with two productions: the anarchic late-night comedy Tennish (23 July), exploring ambition, failure and performance through silent clowning and visual comedy; and the multi award-winning family favourite Out of the Box (25 October), following its sell-out performances inside the Luminarium earlier this year.  Pink Boots and an Alcoholic Sock Puppet (30 July) is the debut show from emerging improvisational talent Harvey Cobb.  A chaotic and hilarious hour filled with Pink Boot Juggling, ridiculous characters, silly songs, contemporary art, and one Alcoholic Sock Puppet; it is a debut not to be missed.

Circus Scratch Night

Emerging circus talent takes centre stage at Circus Scratch Night (25 September), presented by BrainFools, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience new works-in-progress and gain insight into the creative process behind contemporary circus-making.

100 Watt Club

Boundary-pushing cabaret returns on 3 October with the internationally-renowned 100 Watt Club, bringing burlesque, comedy, circus and vaudeville glamour to Woolwich in a night of vintage-inspired variety performance.  Featuring a cast curated by 100 Watt Club's Lena Lenman, this show is a no-holds-barred, full-throttle journey into the world of showgirls, spectacles and songbirds.

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams

One of the major highlights of the autumn programme is Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams (7–8 November), a breathtaking large-scale production combining Ethiopian cultural traditions with world-class acrobatics, live music and storytelling. Inspired by the true story of two Ethiopian brothers who dreamed of joining the circus, the show blends contortion, juggling, Chinese pole and aerial stunts into an uplifting celebration of resilience, creativity and imagination.

Neon Sun – Roller Circus

The new circus and cabaret season concludes on 29 November with Neon Sun – Roller Circus, an electrifying fusion of roller-skating culture, circus stunts and 90s-inspired street aesthetics. Combining high-speed tricks, urban dance, neon visuals and old-school hip-hop energy, the family-friendly production – and Glastonbury favourite - promises an adrenaline-fuelled finale to Woolwich Works' inaugural circus and cabaret season.

Nick Williams, Director of Woolwich Works, commented: "Woolwich Works is uniquely placed to present ambitious circus and cabaret work because of the sheer scale and flexibility of our spaces. From our vast Fireworks Factory, which in a former life was a munitions factory, to the courtyard itself, we can offer artists opportunities that very few London venues can accommodate. Following the incredible response to the Luminarium earlier this year, it felt like the perfect moment to expand our programme and establish circus as a key part of our artistic identity moving forward."

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