The Fallen Trapeze
2010, 25 minutes
The Fallen Trapeze' is a dark and humorous adventure through the backstage politics of Franco's Big Top, a failing circus on the outskirts of town.
A failing, run-down circus on the outskirts of town sees the death of Esmerelda, the famous trapeze artist. The beloved Esmerelda was both the star attraction and a key personality in the troupe's backstage life. Franco's Big Top is immediately thrown into turmoil as Esmerelda's scheming sister Imogen takes centre-stage, convincing the ringmaster to bow to financial pressures and subject the circus to exterior management. The love-hate relationship between Lion and his Tamer reaches breaking point as their tired routine puts them at risk from the unscrupulous new Assessor. The Clowns become increasingly unpredictable and violent, while the single-minded Strongman insists on denying the obvious. The sweet and mischievous spirit of Esmerelda meanwhile does her best to cajole the troupe back to their senses, but in the end it is a bumbling magician who comes up with the goods. Does Franco have the strength of mind to protect his beloved circus? Is the Lion willing to chuck it all away for a bottle of cheap beer? What is Imogen capable of doing to get what she wants? In an atmosphere of mystery and suspicion, the troupe struggle to come to terms with a changing landscape. When even the circumstances of Esmerelda's death are called into doubt, events in the chaotic world of Franco's Big Top are pushed to a head.
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Connected mandy members:
Andrew Squires
Actor
