Circus Past, Present and Future – Ryecroft Circus Village ^expired Free

Circus Past, Present and Future is project led by New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, celebrating 250 years of circus in 2018.

Circus Past, Present, Future at "The Circus Village"

250 years on from Philip Astley’s invention of circus, NoFit State hosted a circus village in the man’s birthplace of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Organised in partnership with the New Vic Theatre as part of Circus Past, Present and Future, the Ryecroft Circus Village was the perfect setting for the premier of the company’s new creation LEXICON and to kick off a year of circus celebrations throughout the country.

The project also featured a photographic exhibition 'Themes and Stories' by long-time company photographer Mark Robson, and Artists in Residence programme, the CircusWorks youth festival, as well as 'STATE OF', an old school circus convention and conference held between 13 - 18 April.

Three Big Tops. Five companies. One new show. Four works in progress. Three sector focused events.


Lexicon: creation and premiere
22 February - 28 March 2018 (World Premiere)
After a period of four years of researching and developing, LEXICON was created during a frosty February in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Artists in residence
It was a pleasure to be joined by Bassline Circus, ZaqAndel, Blake’s Circus and Milton Lopes who shared developed their ideas and works during our residency in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The state of play: an old school circus convention
13 – 16 April 2018
In the spirit of Circus 250, performers and practitioners from all generations and circus styles came together to share skills, take part in a curated programme of workshops, masterclasses in techniques new and old, open space training and evenings socials.

The state of the art: a radical circus conference
17 – 18 April 2018

Designed through consultation with the sector, this gathering brought together makers and thinkers to explore, interrogate, provoke and exchange about the circus we make today.

Themes and stories: circus exhibition
28 March - 21 April
Curated by NoFit State long term photographer Mark Robson, our "Themes and Stories" photographic exhibition draws parallels between the early days of circus and the here and now, with a collection of images containing speciality tricks and traditional acts to snapshots from the daily life behind the scenes.