The last event of a very successful first season is coming to the Big Top this week. The Happiness Machine, presented by the Invisible Circus, will be making its debut on October 4th. The show features high-octane circus skills enhancing a rich theatrical setting all underpinned by a stunning live musical score. Expect gravity defying aerial feats, high impact acrobatics, surreal snapshots of a warped reality, expansive ensemble scenes and engaging story telling.

The show is set in a bizarre other world lost in time where the inhabitants have become increasingly dependent on products to make them happy, so busy in their everyday lives that they miss the beauty of life around them.

Things begin to take a surreal turn when a travelling salesman / shaman comes to town. Part faith healer part rag and bone man he becomes agitated when nobody seems to want his wares, the people of the city have no time for actual happiness, because they are too busy in pursuit of it!

His only customer is a young girl who dares to dream of more, together they will turn the world around them upside down and attempt to break the spell that seems to hold the city in its power.

The show has been devised with a 50 strong cast to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Invisible Circus and is the perfect way to end this year’s programme. After this, the Big Top will come down for a few months over the winter period. Creative Common will use this time to complete the practical work on the site and prepare for the launch of their new season in early 2013. Next season is already shaping up to be bigger and bolder than this year. For more details, keep an eye on their website www.creativecommon.co.uk.

The Happiness Machine is showing at The Big Top @ Creative Common, Thursday to Sunday 4th – 7th, 11th – 14th, 18th – 21st October. Tickets £15/£13 concessions. 4th & 5th October, all tickets £10. Tickets available from Bristol Ticket Shop 0117 929 9008. Pre- show drinks 7.30pm, show starts 8.00pm. For more information contact info@creativecommon.co.uk.