Portsmouth-based entertainment firm gears up to return to work with socially-distanced performances

Nicole Louise Geddes, who runs Manic Stage Productions, is filling up the firm’s diary as the team prepare to return to work with a slight twist on what they would normally be doing.

The company, which is based in Portsmouth, specialises in providing pop-up entertainment services for different private and public events across the UK.

It also usually offers workshops for aspiring dancers for private celebrations such as birthday parties and hen dos and over lockdown continued to do so but online.

Although its entertainment services have had to be paused, the firm is still planning a busy rest of the year.

It is taking new measures to ensure social distancing is enforced at all times, by focusing on the stilt walker, aerial hoop and fire breathing side of the business, which are already distanced for safety.

Nicole, who has had a long career as a performer, appearing on TV as well as in the circus in New York and as a backing dancer for Kylie Minogue, said: ‘We’re used to having to ensure there is a distance between our performers and the crowds, albeit for a different reason, but it is something that is already second-nature to us.

‘We’ve decided to niche and slightly pivot our performances so that our clients and their guests continue to receive the standard they have come to expect without compromise and with the two-metre guidelines we hope by focussing on these speciality types of performances we can continue to offer great entertainment while ensuring everyone stays safe.’

Plans are also in the pipeline for winter shows