A circus dinner show is returning this summer, promising a feast for all the senses.
Fools Delight will return to Ham Court in West Oxfordshire from July 23 to August 2 with Tyger, an immersive circus experience pairing live performance with a three-course communal feast.
Co-created by Lil Rice, Sam Goodburn and Dave Cross, the production brings together circus artistry and culinary storytelling in a show inspired by William Blake’s poem Tyger.
Lil Rice, co-creator and director of Fools Delight, said: "Tyger is a circus retelling of the perilous path we walk between measure & might.
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"A show of circus duos exploring the 'fearful symmetry' in all of us; with acrobatics, aerial dance, drag queens, fallen angels, fire & water acts and the return of our Clown Sam Goodburn, to light the way."
Tyger explores human contradiction through acrobatics and aerial dance, with a cast including resident clown Sam Goodburn, drag queen Force Majeure and performers described as 'fallen angels'.
Guests can enjoy the theatrical spectacle alongside a three-course meal designed by head chef Dave Cross.
This season includes 10 dinner shows, each blending 'performative plating' with the evening’s performance to fully immerse guests in the story.
Daytime programming and special events also feature in Fools Delight's 2026 summer season.
Legendary clown Tweedy will perform new solo daytime shows for the first time, followed by family-focused Fools Day performances later in the run.
Opera company Wild Arts will take over the Fools Big Top for two nights on July 21 and July 28.
This year also sees the launch of the Young Fools Initiative, a scheme supporting young professionals transitioning from artistic training to their first roles in the industry.
The programme offers real-world mentorship and experience in roles such as assistant director, company manager and costume and tent mistress.
Ms Rice, who trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts, grew up behind the scenes at Giffords Circus and later co-founded Fools Delight with Goodburn and Cross in 2022.
Goodburn, who started in circus as a unicyclist and became a clown by chance, helped source the company’s big top tent.
Cross began cooking in Cotswold restaurants before joining Circus Sauce at 20.
He spent six years with Giffords Circus before launching his own catering business, later teaming up with Rice and Goodburn to start Fools Delight.
Fools Delight aims to combine circus and communal dining.
Tickets start at £60 for adults and £10 for children.
For more information or to book, visit foolsdelight.co.uk or bookwhen.com/foolsdelightcircus.
The main show dates are July 23 to August 2.
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