Some entertainers turn up with a costume and a script. Tom Makin turns up with three decades of skill, a van full of kit he’s collected and built himself, and the kind of quiet control that keeps a room of 40 children — or a marquee of corporate guests — genuinely captivated.

This is the story of the artist behind eclipseArts, and what he brings to your event.

Quick answer: Tom Makin is the circus performer and artist behind eclipseArts, based in Keynsham, Bristol.

In 30+ years he has performed on Glastonbury’s main theatre stage, at Blenheim Palace, at a 5G launch in Istanbul, and at weddings, festivals and parties across the South West — juggling, fire, stilt walking and shows he builds himself.

He is fully DBS-checked, insured, and provides full risk assessments.

Three decades of running away with the circus

Tom has been performing and running circus events since the early 1990s. eclipseArts isn’t a booking agency and it isn’t a franchise — it’s Tom himself, doing what he loves and bringing that energy to your event.

The equipment he uses has been gathered and refined over more than 20 years, chosen because it works, not because it’s flashy.

That longevity matters. It’s the difference between someone hoping a party goes well and someone who has run hundreds of them and knows exactly how to read a room, hold attention, and turn nervous energy into a highlight everyone remembers.

What Tom actually does

Tom is a genuine all-rounder — a rare thing. Because his range is so wide, there’s an act or a skill to suit almost any event, and at a hands-on party every child finds something that clicks for them.

Juggling & object manipulation

Clubs, balls, plate spinning, diabolo, poi and feather balancing — the core craft, and the hook that stops a room in its tracks. It’s also the heart of his kids parties and circus skills workshops.

Fire performance

Fire juggling and torch work — often the finale of an evening event or party (outdoors, weather permitting). Fully insured and risk-assessed, and a favourite at weddings and festivals.

Stilt walking & walkabout

Larger-than-life stilt walking and walkabout characters for festivals, processions and openings — including leading wedding processions in the Hindu tradition, where jugglers are considered auspicious (Tom agrees).

UV, projection & puppet shows

Atmospheric UV puppetry and full projection-and-juggling shows for corporate dinners and launches — most memorably the UV alien light show for the Turkcell 5G launch in Istanbul.

Clowning & teaching

Warm, silly, inclusive clowning and workshop-leading that gets everyone — from shy five-year-olds to sceptical teenagers and corporate teams — actually taking part.

Where he’s performed

Tom has worked in contexts most entertainers never see:

• Glastonbury Festival — the main theatre stage.
• Blenheim Palace — entertaining thousands across multiple seasons.
• Istanbul to Prague — international launches and club nights, including the Turkcell 5G launch.
• Hindu wedding processions — leading the celebration as an auspicious juggler.
• Festivals, weddings and parties across Bristol, Bath and the wider South West.

Handmade, and one of a kind

Here’s what really sets Tom apart as an artist: he designs and builds his own props from repurposed materials and makes his own costumes. There’s no off-the-shelf show — what you book is genuinely unique, made by the person performing it. It’s craft as much as performance.

How Tom runs a room

Ask Tom his secret and he’ll tell you it’s music, not shouting. He turns the music down to gather attention and teach a skill, then turns it up so everyone practises together — and that rhythm keeps even a sugar-fuelled party calm and focused. 

He draws shy children in gently (their confidence visibly grows from a moment in the spotlight), channels the over-excited ones into the act rather than fighting them, and always keeps the birthday child at the centre.

And underneath the fun, he’s teaching something real: how to practise, how muscle memory is built, and how to be kind to yourself when a new skill takes time. That depth is why schools, corporate wellbeing bookers and parents alike come back.

“I’ll stand in the room and juggle three clubs for a couple of minutes — and usually by then the children are enraptured. From there on, they’re eating out of the palm of my hand.”

— Tom Makin

Trusted, safe and reliable

Tom is fully DBS-checked, holds public liability insurance, and provides full risk assessments (including for fire). He turns up on time — every time — because he knows that’s half of what parents are really paying for.

“Tom came to my son’s 7th birthday party. He was prompt, fabulous with the children and adults and had a huge range of circus equipment which every child had a go on. The fire juggling finale was the perfect ending. It was the easiest kids party I have done yet. Highly recommend Tom!”

— Danielle Turner

“We have held eclipseArts circus skills workshops over a number of years at Blenheim Palace and they are always great fun! The range of activities is great and the performers are brilliant with people of all ages.”

— Captain Terra, Blenheim Palace

Book Tom for your event

Tom performs and teaches across Bristol, Bath and the South West. You can book him for:

• Kids parties — circus birthday parties children talk about for weeks.
• Corporate team building — memorable, inclusive, hands-on.
• School workshops — building focus, confidence and teamwork.
• Hen parties — the icebreaker everyone actually remembers.
• Festivals, events & performances — stilts, fire, UV shows and walkabout.

Book Tom. Check availability and get a tailored quote: message WhatsApp on 07770 568311 or email tom@eclipsearts.co.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tom Makin?

Tom Makin is the circus performer and artist behind eclipseArts, based in Keynsham, Bristol. He’s performed and taught for over 30 years, from Glastonbury’s main stage to Blenheim Palace and an international 5G launch in Istanbul.

What circus skills does Tom perform?

Juggling, fire performance, stilt walking, plate spinning, poi, diabolo, UV and puppet shows, clowning, and full circus skills workshops — many with props and costumes he builds himself.

Is Tom DBS-checked and insured?

Yes — fully DBS-checked, public liability insured, with full risk assessments including for fire performance.

Where is Tom based and what areas does he cover?

Based in Keynsham, Bristol, covering Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and South Wales.

How do I book Tom?

Message on WhatsApp (07770 568311) or email tom@eclipsearts.co.uk to check availability and get a tailored quote.