National Centre for Circus Arts

Last updated

The National Centre for Circus Arts (formerly the Circus Space) is a professional circus school in the Hoxton area in London that offers one of the UK's only university degree programmes in circus. It is a leading centre for contemporary circus training. [1] It supports the professional development of circus performers and circus companies and runs youth and adult evening classes every week. It also runs the London Youth Circus.

Contents

History

It was established in 1989 by Jonathan Graham with a number of other volunteers, including artistes/composers in residence,Lights In A Fat City with Artist in Residence Sheila Stewart, in a former timber yard in North Road London .Together they collaborated in developing and performing " Satellites 1 and 2 ".(now the site of the Pleasance Theatre). From the outset it has provided support for professional performers through practice time, devising space, company support and putting on shows, including the Circus Space Cabaret, plus an adult evening programme and a youth programme.

In 1994 it moved to Shoreditch Electric Light Station, a former power station, in Hoxton, starting a BTEC "National Diploma in Performing Arts (Circus)" in 1995 which ran to 1999. In 1998 it designed and delivered the tailor-made training programme for the 87 aerial artists who performed in the Millennium Show at the Millennium Dome. In 1999 it started to run a BA (Hons) two-year intensive course in "Theatre Practice – Contemporary Circus" [2] in association with the Central School of Speech and Drama. The Foundation and Ba(Hons) degrees are now validated by the University of Kent (see below). Until recently, it was the only place you could achieve a degree in circus arts in the UK. However, in September 2014, Circomedia in Bristol launched a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Circus and Physical Performance, accredited by Bath Spa University.

The Circus Space was instrumental in the creation and development of The Generating Company. [3]

In 2012 Circus Space – now the National Centre for Circus Arts – ran an eight-week intensive training programme for 42 deaf and disabled artists, preparing them to perform featured roles in the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on 29 August 2012. [4] [5] Some of those artists who prepared for the spectacular high-wire act in the Paralympics Opening Ceremony at the Olympics 2012 included injured soldiers. [6]

In March 2014, Circus Space was awarded national status and renamed the National Centre for Circus Arts. [7] This was recognised as a major step in developing a culture of homegrown circus in the UK. Rufus Norris, now Artistic Director of the National Theatre, said in 2014:

"One of the challenges in this country has been that a lot of the circus arts have been abroad – Europe, Canada, America, China, Russia. But we haven't really had a developed centre here – and now we do. That's fantastic in terms of what that promises in all kinds of ways." [8]

Former Joint Chief-Executive, Jane Rice-Bowen, said at the time:

“For a long time we haven’t had the legitimacy of other art forms like ballet or opera and this is our moment to say circus is a brilliant art form.” [9]

Degree programme

The National Centre for Circus Arts accepts around 20–30 new students each year onto its two-year Foundation Degree in "Circus Arts" course. No academic requirements need to be met and admission is based purely on suitability and successful audition. Students undertake a training regime of 36 weeks per year. [10] Upon finishing the course, students may then audition for a place on a final one-year course to achieve a BA (Hons) degree. Some students also go on to achieve a Postgraduate Certificate. The school's degrees are validated by the University of Kent.

It also offers a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts – Circus Arts course in partnership with Hackney College. The Diploma in Performing Arts is run by Hackney Community College. It is a one-year, full-time course which gives insight into circus and the wider performing arts sector.

As well as being a member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, the National Centre for Circus Arts is also member of the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC).

National partnerships

The National Centre for Circus Arts plays a role in a number of national partnership initiatives. The Circus Training Action Group, or CTAG, is a partnership of four UK Circus Schools (The Circus Space, Circomedia, Greentop Circus and Skylight) developing quality standards and the qualifications for circus skills in the UK.

The National Youth Circus Event, initiated in 2008 as part of the Young Peoples' Participatory Theatre project, was led by the National Centre (then The Circus Space) with partners including Albert and Friends Instant Circus and was hosted in 2009 by The Circus Space in London, in 2010 by Blackpool Youth Circus, and in 2011 by Greentop Circus and Swamp Circus Trust in Sheffield. Since 2011, the National Youth Circus Event has been hosted by the National Centre.

In 2013, the National Centre partnered with Gandini Juggling on their show 4 × 4 Ephemeral Architectures. The Gandinis embarked into new territory – pairing four ballet dancers with four jugglers – as part of a new commission by ROH Studio. As Sophie Rose, general manager of Gandinis explained: “For the last decade, Gandini Juggling have often had a guest dancer; a solitary figure, a magician illuminating patterns, framing and wandering amongst traces. This piece will revisit the company’s frequent obsessions with grids/patterns and mathematics and will be informed with a hovering new found theatricality.” [11]

The National Centre for Circus Arts is a member of the Creative Industries Federation. [12]

In 2016, the National Centre was awarded an "outstanding" two star Creative Industry Green certification for its commitment to reducing its environmental impact by Julie's Bicycle. [13]

Alumni

National Centre alumni include stars of Cirque du Soleil, the Royal Shakespeare Company and actress Sadie Frost, who learnt flying trapeze. Theatre director Daniel Kramer, TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh and director Stephen Daldry have all trained at the organisation. Graduate company Circulus includes successful model [14] and gentleman juggler [15] Tom Gaskin, and film maker Remy Archer. National Centre graduate company Barely Methodical Troupe (BMT), founded by Beren D'Amico, Charlie Wheeller and Louis Gift, achieved critical success [16] [17] for their debut show Bromance. Their experimental acrobatic circus company fuses Hand-to-Hand and Cyr Wheel with a through line of creative dynamic movement. Influenced by their already existing skill sets (Parkour, Bboying, and Tricking), they have a fresh perspective on the creation of circus. This combination of technical ability with their stylish flow is the defining feature of the troupe. [18] They won the 2014 Total Theatre Award for circus. Their next show, Kin, headlined CircusFest 2016 at the Roundhouse.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggling</span> Circus skill manipulating objects

Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object or many objects at the same time, most often using one or two hands but also possible with feet. Jugglers often refer to the objects they juggle as props. The most common props are balls, clubs, or rings. Some jugglers use more dramatic objects such as knives, fire torches or chainsaws. The term juggling can also commonly refer to other prop-based manipulation skills, such as diabolo, plate spinning, devil sticks, poi, cigar boxes, contact juggling, hooping, yo-yo, and hat manipulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acrobatics</span> Feats of balance and agility

Acrobatics is the performance of human feats of balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most often performed in acro dance, circus, gymnastics, and freerunning and to a lesser extent in other athletic activities including ballet, slacklining and diving. Although acrobatics is most commonly associated with human body performance, the term is used to describe other types of performance, such as aerobatics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirque du Soleil</span> Canadian contemporary circus company

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on 16 June 1984 by former street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roundhouse (venue)</span> Performing arts venue in London, England

The Roundhouse is a performing arts and concert venue situated at the Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England. The building was erected in 1846–1847 by the London & North Western Railway as a roundhouse, a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was used for that purpose for only about a decade. After being used as a warehouse for a number of years, the building fell into disuse just before World War II. It was first made a listed building in 1954.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ra-Ra Zoo</span>

Ra-Ra Zoo was an English-based contemporary circus theatre company, active, a seminal group who created self devised physical theatre performance for theatres using comedy and circus skills. Founded by Sue Broadway, Stephen Kent, David Spathaky and Sue Bradley while they were all working and staying together at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirkidz</span>

Cirkidz is a youth circus school based in Bowden in the South Australian capital of Adelaide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratford Circus</span> Arts Venue in London

Stratford Circus is a contemporary performing arts venue in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, east London. It was designed by Levitt Bernstein architects and built with funding from the National Lottery, and has been operated by the Stratford Arts Trust charity since 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circomedia</span> Circus and theater school

Circomedia is a school for contemporary circus and physical theatre based in Bristol, England. The school offers a variety of training courses and workshops that teach circus skills in the context of physical theatre, performance and creativity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flying Fruit Fly Circus</span> Australian circus and circus school

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is Australia's national youth circus, and the only full-time circus school for young people in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksons Lane</span>

Jacksons Lane Arts Centre (JLAC) is a multi-arts venue in Highgate, north London, located in a Grade II listed former Wesleyan Methodist church. The building is home to a 170 capacity theatre, a large scale dance and rehearsal studio, a cafe-bar and four other multi-purpose spaces. In 2022 it completed a large-scale £5 million refurbishment & redevelopment of the building with the majority of the funding coming from Arts Council England & Haringey Council. JLAC is now more accessible, has greater facilities, a larger front of house area and two new circus creation spaces.

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts (PSCA) is a contemporary circus school in Philadelphia. It began in June 2008.

Greentop Community Circus Centre is the only circus school in Yorkshire, England, and was established in 1995 on the TV programme Challenge Anneka, and is one of three UK circus schools providing accredited level training courses in circus skills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wanderlust Circus</span>

Wanderlust Circus is a theatrical circus troupe based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 2006 by creative partners Noah Mickens and Nick "The Creature" Harbar. Since 2006, Wanderlust Circus has grown from a small band of creatives to a full-fledged circus troupe, and non-profit organization. The organization presently comprises a team of acrobats, a 10-piece swing band, a trick-roping cowboy clown; and several aerialists, contortionists, hand balancers, jugglers, and dancers. Their most popular recurring shows have been The White Album Christmas, A Circus Carol, and the dance party series MegaBounce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenwich+Docklands International Festival</span>

The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is a free annual outdoor performing arts festival, which takes place across East and South East London (Greenwich) every June. GDIF was founded by its Artistic Director Bradley Hemmings as an independent festival in 1996 and is produced by the charitable organisation Greenwich+Docklands Festivals (GDF). The festival organises over 200 performances during 10 days, which are attended by over 80,000 people each year.

John Edward BerryCBE is a British-born musician and arts administrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gandini Juggling</span>

Gandini Juggling is a London-based contemporary circus company. Originally called Gandini Juggling Project, the company was founded in 1992 by Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala. Their initial works focused on fusing juggling with principles from postmodern dance, and were created in close collaboration with choreographer Gill Clarke. Gandini Juggling were early-adopters of siteswap notation, guided by their collaborations with Mike Day, who performed in their first two works.

Gravity and Other Myths is an acrobatic contemporary circus troupe based in Adelaide, South Australia, founded in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Bruel</span>

Vincent Bruel was a French juggler. Born in Toulouse, he studied and taught at Le Lido, and is known for his experimental approach and studies on the practice of juggling.

References

  1. ↑ Alberge, Dalya (8 March 2014). "Acrobatic artists find new status as London circus school goes national". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Sebba, Anne (10 December 1999). "The high-flying graduates". The Times.
  3. ↑ "The Generating Company". www.generatingcompany.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "National Centre for Circus Arts". nationalcircus.org.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Brown, Mark; correspondent, arts (2 May 2012). "Paralympics 2012 opening ceremony to bring enlightenment to London". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Injured soldiers learn circus skills for Paralympic opening ceremony". ITV News. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  7. ↑ Dalya Alberge (8 March 2014). "Acrobatic artists find new status as London circus school goes national". The Guardian .
  8. ↑ Alberge, Dalya (8 March 2014). "Acrobatic artists find new status as London circus school goes national". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Cirque du Shoreditch: national circus centre promises an art form to". London Evening Standard. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Foundation Degree in Circus Arts – National Centre for Circus Arts National Centre for Circus Arts". nationalcircus.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "July 2013 – Gandini Juggling". gandinijugglings.wordpress.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  12. ↑ "TEF metrics risk 'perverse' results for creative subjects, warns v–c". Times Higher Education (THE). 19 January 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  13. ↑ "Two Star IG Debut for National Centre for Circus Arts / Julie's Bicycle". www.juliesbicycle.com. Retrieved 15 February 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. ↑ "D1 Models | Tom Gaskin". d1models.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Tom Gaskin: juggler | Interviews | The Stage". The Stage. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "Bromance". Time Out Edinburgh. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Bromance (Mime Festival)". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  18. ↑ "Barely Methodical". Barely Methodical. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.