Giffords Circus’s show is touring the UK. Established in 2000, Giffords Circus is a small circus company that delivers circus / theatre fusion to the villages and market towns of the south west. It combines dance, comedy, horses and live music in a two-hour show, located on village greens in a small white tent surrounded by handmade burgundy and gold showman’s wagons. Photographer Tom Pilston goes behind the scenes to meet the performers. Here: The Painted Wagon show at Oxford University Parks. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Stephanie Chisholm and Erin Cervantes perform a duet in the show. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Gun-slinging, rope-spinning cowgirl Lilian Konyot. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Co-founder Nell Gifford. The group is renowned for its eclectic circus theatre fusion style. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Jugglers Bibi and Bichu. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





The incredible, gravity-defying Konjowoch Troupe. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Tweedy the clown. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Helen and Sied of Konjowoch. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Performers backstage waiting for the call . (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





The Sheriff, played by Virgile Elana. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)





Cal McCrystal returns for his fifth year as director. (Photo by Tom Pilston/The Guardian)