Roll up, roll up your sleeves' is the message given to any students considering the circus as a possible performance career, with many possible avenues to explore. Whether in front of an audience or backstage, with a bit of hard work and a keen love of theatre it's an often-overlooked area of performance which one company is hoping those interested might wish to explore.
Juggling a career in the circus
Having recently finished a West End run at the Garrick Theatre in London, Cirque Berserk! is one of the country's biggest and most well-known circus troupes. With an entirely non-verbal performance, the show appeals to all audiences. With regular sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and Hyde Parks' Winter Wonderland for example, there's plenty to excite those interested in the diverse roles available, such as that of Polly Witherick, one of Cirque Berserk!'s current artists.
‘I trained as a high-level competitive gymnast for years growing up and always knew I wanted to turn my passion for gymnastics into a career, so I successfully auditioned for circus school at age 16 and that's how my circus journey began,’ says Polly.
‘The four years spent between two different circus schools in the UK (Circomedia in Bristol and the National Centre for Circus Arts in London) allowed me to develop my gymnast skills into circus and performance skills and gave me a space to start creating my own work ready for the circus world. I chose to specialise in the discipline Cyr wheel and since graduating I have been performing all around the world,’ she enthuses.
‘One of the big perks of being a circus performer is the places it takes you. There's a variety of different performance opportunities for circus artists such as staged/touring shows, cabaret, corporate events or parties and nightclub work. I've been lucky enough to have the chance to perform on the Canary Islands, at weddings in India, in a film for Netflix and I'm currently working on the West End.’
Tips for aspiring performers
What should those interested in routes into the circus industry be doing to help pursue their dream?
‘Like all the performing arts, you need to be determined, hard-working and affable. Get as much experience as possible – often you have to start from the bottom and work your way up to your chosen career,’ says Martin Burton, proprietor and director of Cirque Berserk!.
‘Train hard, listen and learn; make yourself known within the industry. Whether your route into the business is via circus schools or technical training, you need to be able to work as part of a team,’ he adds.
So, what sort of skills and roles should those wanting to work in the circus, whether in front of an audience of keeping the show running backstage, be focusing on?
‘All our performers are multi-skilled. During a theatre run they are only involved in performance and publicity. However, we also have our own technical and stage crews plus a tour manager, marketing team and publicist,’ Burton explains.
‘For our touring Big Top show our artistes will also be involved in build-up and take-down of the Big Top, box office, merchandising, and face painting as well as performing and publicity. We have our own support team of drivers, electricians and joiners plus the management team, marketing and publicist. Many of the non-performance rolls are often filled by circus artistes who no longer perform, but have a lifetime of experience and enthusiasm,’ he adds. ‘We are keen on diversity, whether it is disability as a performer or as part of the touring teams. Like all our team, they make themselves known to the industry.’
With such a competitive arts scene, what can those wanting to work in this industry expect long-term from circus as a thriving piece of theatre?
‘Our success rests on adapting our performance offering to the times, both in content and marketing,’ Burton muses. ‘The principles are the same; it's the presentation and execution that keeps circus current.’
What advice would the Cirque Berserk! troupe give to those thinking of circus as a viable career?
‘There's a lot of hard work that goes into circus behind the scenes, so you need to be determined and hardworking,’ concludes Witherick. ‘It's common that you won't always have your perfect set up, for example with Cyr wheel I often get asked to perform on small stages, so you have to be willing to adapt your performance whilst also remaining safe. Confidence is key; you have to believe in yourself and the work you produce!’
Cirque Berserk! have just finished a West End run at The Garrick Theatre, London. www.cirqueberserk.co.uk