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Paulo’s Circus sells tickets for ‘mystery’ show in Kent and Medway despite having no venue

By: Sean McPolin smcpolin@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 17 August 2024

Updated: 08:43, 17 August 2024

A circus which has been around for 200 years has sold more than 1,000 tickets for its latest show - but it doesn’t have a venue yet.

Billed as a “mystery” performance in Kent and Medway, Paulo’s Circus is still on the hunt for a new home after being told to leave its previous site.

Paulo's Circus opened back in 1816 and has been in Kent for several decades. Picture: Paulo's Circus
Paulo's Circus was started in 1816 and has most recently been at Leybourne Lakes in Snodland for 12 years. Picture: Paulo's Circus

The show, which started in 1816 and has been in Kent for decades, was most recently based at Leybourne Lakes near Snodland.

But owner Kenny Darnell Jnr is still determined to put on a performance for customers when they arrive for dates between October 18 and November 2, with high-flying acrobats, juggling, dance and clown shows.

“Let’s just say it's been a wild ride,” the 36-year-old said. “Losing our spot in Snodland – which we’ve called home for years – was a real bummer.

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“The owner decided they didn’t want any events later in the season and since then we’ve been scrambling around Kent for a replacement.”

Kenny took over the reins from his parents several years ago with his brothers Leigh, the ringmaster, and younger brother Patrick.

Paulo's Circus is looking for a new venue in Kent and Medway. Picture: Paulo's Circus
Kenny Darnell Junior, 36, runs Paulo's Circus which is looking for a new venue in Kent and Medway. Picture: Paulo's Circus

He explained how the family thought they had found the ideal venue at The Julie Rose Stadium in Kennington, Ashford, but things fell through and they’re “back to square one now”.

He added: “In a bold move, which some may call reckless, we've gone ahead and started selling tickets for our planned Kent visit.

“The twist? We don't actually have a venue booked in yet.

“We're hoping to hear back from a few places soon, but right now, we're open to just about anything – a garden centre, car park, a field at a car boot sale.

“If you've got a big enough backyard, we're all ears.”

Paulo's Circus owner Kenny Darnell Junior's great grandparents married on elephants from the circus in Doncaster back in November 1943. Picture: Paulo's Circus
Paulo's Circus owner Kenny Darnell Junior's granny Paulo, left, and 'Nanny Mac' pictured in Finland during the 1950s. Picture: Paulo's Circus
Paulo's Circus pictured in 1921. Picture: Paulo's Circus

Kenny continued: “It is my mission to drive circus into the future for generations to come, and that involves doing things no one has ever done, and taking chances most would deem unreal.”

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For anyone “brave enough” to join them in the “unknown adventure”, tickets are on sale with prices ranging from £8 in the grandstand, £10 ringside and £125 for a VIP box which seats eight people.

For more information, visit their social pages or website here.

Alternatively, if you know somewhere the circus can go, email info@paulos.co.uk.

The circus will be issuing refunds to anyone who paid for a ticket if no venue has been found by September 18, or if the location is too far across the county for people to travel.

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