Circomedia

What child, when they were young, did not want to join the circus? I remember watching Disney’s Dumbo and thinking what a wonderful like it would be working for the circus. Then I became a teenager and the circus took on a rather different face. Animal circuses were making the news for cruelty issues and the travelling circuses which came to my hometown would often bring with them seedy fairgrounds which all my mates would hang out at drinking Hooch and snogging boys. Nice. However, that didn’t put me off and I am always amazed at the physical discipline of human circus acts which is why, when I went to visit Circomedia I was astounded by the agility, power and poise of the performers — many of whom were a good 10 years younger than me. These kids work hard for their art and it is well worth seeing them in action. It’s like Britain’s Got Talent but only better.

Yes, it may be hidden, and yes if you say to people name me a brilliant arts training institute in Bristol the Old Vic will probably be the response that comes out of 90% of peoples mouths. All this doesn’t matter though.
Circomedia offers an incredible training service, and when you see past students perform they all have an impressive set of skills.
With ‘kids classes’, ‘evening classes’ and short courses available there is something for every one, even if your taking your first few tentative steps into performance.

A somewhat hidden gem (so hidden that it’s pretending to be, well OK, once was, a church) in central Bristol, St Pauls to be precise, Circomedia is a performing arts centre with a difference.
Running classes aimed at all abilities and ages, you can walk away from the centre with a recognised qualification or just dabble in a bit of what you fancy. The less flexible among us should look out for their regular shows as they can be truly spectacular.

The leading centre for contemporary circus and physical theatre in Europe, right here in our city.
In the restored church swings a permanent flying trapeze rig and a sprung dance floor. Very weird setting with stained glass windows and font still in situ! Still, its pretty incredible.
As an organisation they run exciting (and never before seen) training courses in performance and circus from a two year diploma, teacher training, evening courses to workshops and team-​building exercises. Some of the skills covered include clowning, corde lisse, acrobatics, juggling and unicycling.
As a venue, Circomedia also hosts theatre and circus performances and train up exceptional performers who have gone on to Cirque du Soleil and local ‘Invisible circus’ fame. And if you think all that’s not enough, they’ve just started pilates classes that I might try too. Roll up, roll up!