The Circus Space
Encyclopedia
The Circus Space in the Hoxton
area of London
offers the UK
's only university degree programme in circus
. It supports the professional development of circus performers and circus companies and runs youth and adult evening classes every week. The Circus Space also runs the London Youth Circus.
In 1994 it moved to the former Shoreditch Electricity Generating 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" in association with the Central School of Speech and Drama
.
The Circus Space was instrumental in the creation and development of The Generating Company
.
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 38 weeks per year. Upon finishing the course, students may then audition for a place on a final one year course to achieve a BA (Hons) degree.
The Circus Space degrees are validated by the University of Kent
.
As well as being a member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
, The Circus Space is also member of the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC).
, 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 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.
Hoxton
Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road on the west, Old Street on the south, and Kingsland Road on the east.Hoxton is also a...
area of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
offers the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's only university degree programme in circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
. It supports the professional development of circus performers and circus companies and runs youth and adult evening classes every week. The Circus Space also runs the London Youth Circus.
History
It was established in 1989 by Jonathan Graham with a number of other volunteers in a former timber yard in North Road, London (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 the former Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station in Hoxton, starting a BTEC
Business And Technology Education Council (BTEC)
The Business and Technology Education Council is the British body which awards vocational qualifications. Such qualifications are commonly referred to as "BTECs"....
"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
Millennium Dome
The Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...
. In 1999 it started to run a BA (Hons) two year intensive course in "Theatre Practice - Contemporary Circus" in association with the Central School of Speech and Drama
Central School of Speech and Drama
The Central School of Speech and Drama was founded in London in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty to offer a new form of training in speech and drama for young actors and other students...
.
The Circus Space was instrumental in the creation and development of The Generating Company
The Generating Company
The Generating Company is an international touring circus company producing large scale commercially successful shows and events around the world. Most recent shows include 'Voyage de la Vie' at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and 'Aqua' the worlds largest water show in Shenzhen southern China...
.
Degree programme
The Circus Space accepts around 20 new students each year onto its two year Foundation DegreeFoundation degree
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification introduced by the government of the United Kingdom in September 2001, which is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
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 38 weeks per year. Upon finishing the course, students may then audition for a place on a final one year course to achieve a BA (Hons) degree.
The Circus Space degrees are validated by the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
.
As well as being a member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama is a higher education institution in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 2001 to co-ordinate the activities of a number of affiliated schools providing higher-level vocational training in the performing arts...
, The Circus Space is also member of the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC).
National partnerships
The Circus Space 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, CircomediaCircomedia
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....
, Greentop Circus
Greentop Circus
Greentop Circus is the only Circus School in Yorkshire, northern 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....
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 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
Greentop Circus
Greentop Circus is the only Circus School in Yorkshire, northern 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....
and Swamp Circus Trust in Sheffield.