Brixham Regatta

Synopsis

A ramshackle fairground where dreams and desperation intertwine

Showman, a world-weary circus performer, finds himself at the heart of a decaying travelling show in this poignant drama. As he struggles to maintain his act with an aging horse named Alexander, the play explores the fading glamour of circus life and the harsh realities faced by those on society’s margins.

The arrival of Girl, a young woman yearning for escape, adds a spark of hope and tension to the troupe. Her interactions with Showman and the Old Woman reveal the complex dynamics of this makeshift family. Through sharp dialogue and moments of dark humour, the play explores exploitation, dreams deferred, and the cost of survival in a world that has left them behind. As the characters grapple with their dwindling prospects, the play offers a bittersweet meditation on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of inevitable change.