Exciting News! Circus Antics is now supported by Arts Council England

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Project Grant funding support from Arts Council England

This money will support our artistic director, performer and circus skills teacher Alice Newton to research and develop a new solo family circus show using circus, street theatre and storytelling and explore mental health and wellbeing themes. Alongside creating a new show, Alice will be developing educational and therapeutic circus and theatre workshops for outdoor events, festivals and schools and a series of online digital activity videos for children to have fun and learn new skills at home.

This will bring new opportunities and new circus acts and workshop offers for our clients as we transition out of lockdown.

Alice said:

“I’m delighted to be receiving this funding which will improve my creative practice and skills as a circus performer and circus skills teacher. My research will involve collating information on children’s mental health and wellbeing by discussing and talking to lots of people and organisations about children’s mental health and wellbeing. Many young children may be experiencing feelings of isolation and creative and social deprivation due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. I want to create a new fun, educational family show and therapeutic circus and theatre workshops which will include developing of a series of activity videos which will provide a positive, creative focus and encourage and build self-esteem for children.

Developing a new solo family friendly circus show that is both educational and inspiring to younger generations and families will expand my capabilities as a solo circus/ street theatre performer. The show will be adaptable for both indoor, outdoor and online settings.

This project will build on my teaching skills to create therapeutic workshops. I will be supported by a registered drama therapist Laura Hurkett (Bristol Dramatherapy) who will provide supervision and guidance on developing the workshops content and also look to adapt them to fit in with the school PSHE curriculum subject at key stages 1 and 2. I will produce a series of 6 digital workshop videos which can be offered to schools and families as part of their homeschooling activities during lockdown periods.

This project will provide me an opportunity to establish myself as a solo female artist in the creative, outdoor street arts and educational sectors and provide new revenue streams for my freelance work. The developmental work will be enhanced by working with Annabelle Holland (an award-winning director) who has directed and facilitated many indoor and outdoor shows/ projects for 28 years. Her specialism in making strong female and issue-based work, pushes boundaries and her experience of combining circus skills with narrative, characters, comedy and theatre will strengthen and deepen my theatrical devising capabilities. Annabelle’s credits include Kecca Rocca (Jeunes Talents Cirque Europe winner 2010), Circus Ricardo, Bassline Circus, Frenetic Engineering, Glorious Productions, The Social Club plus many others.

Working collaboratively with circus, clown and street theatre professional Joseph May will enhance my circus, object manipulation, equilibristic and physical performance skills. Joe has over 30 years’ experience, trained at the Lecoq International Theatre School and has developed many outdoor shows that combine topical narratives with theatre and circus skills. Jo has performed internationally at street theatre festivals which include Edinburgh (UK), Adelaide (Australia), Aurillac (France), Koblenz (Germany), Weinfelden (Switzerland), Accroche Coeurs (France)”.

To follow Alice’s creative journey for the circus wellbeing project, follow Circus Antics on Facebook or Instagram