In the venn diagram of circus and woodturning, I always assumed they would be two distinct circles with a vast, empty space in between. Turns out, they do overlap—and in that sweet spot is Jeromy Nuuk with Ingrained by Hands Some Feet.

Nuuk, a former Roleystone boy, started his career as a cabinet maker before running away to join the circus. Now, a decade later, Ingrained is the stunning fusion of those two worlds—a heartfelt homage to his late grandfather, who also blended art with trade. There's certainly a deeper conversation to be had about all trades being grounded in art, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Judging by the packed audience—even at 6 PM on a school night!—it turns out this crossover of craftsmanship and performance resonates far more widely than I ever imagined. It seems I’ve been living under a rock, unaware of the cult status of Hands Some Feet, but the crowd was filled with devoted fans who have never missed a show. They certainly weren’t disappointed this time either.

Ingrained is sweet, charming, and perfect for all ages. It begins with Nuuk on stage, turning a wooden sphere to the sound of "Tradie FM"—then, the circus begins. What follows is a mesmerising blend of craftsmanship, juggling, humor, and delightful mishaps. And honestly, outsourcing your sanding to an audience member? Genius.

We have a mug at home that says, "Sawdust is man glitter," and Nuuk wields that man glitter like pure magic, adding an unexpected sparkle to the show.

It’s hard to put Ingrained into words—it’s one of those shows that flies by in an instant, leaving you grinning as you walk out, wondering where did that hour go? Multiple groups in our audience even mentioned they were coming back to see it again—and in a festival with 500 shows, that speaks volumes.

If you want to experience something genuinely unique, clever, and joy-filled, Ingrained is an absolute must-see.