Ockham's Razor

OCKHAM’S RAZOR IS A CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS COMPANY WHO COMBINE CIRCUS AND VISUAL THEATRE TO MAKE WORK THAT IS ARRESTING AND ENTERTAINING. WE SPECIALISE IN CREATING PHYSICAL THEATRE ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND CREATE STORIES FROM THE VULNERABILITY, TRUST AND RELIANCE THAT EXISTS BETWEEN PHYSICAL PERFORMERS.

Rather than paint the circus performer as a superhuman character capable of impressive feats we make work that draws on the human and the real, where the characters go through recognisable experiences, emotions and conflicts which the audience can relate to. Our shows are exciting and moving and we feel that we’ve achieved our aims when members of the audience have said : “I wanted to come on stage with you”.

The Company was formed in 2004. We met while studying at Circomedia, Academy of Circus Arts and Physical Performance in Bristol. In spring 2006, Turtle Key Arts became our producers.

 “Britain’s most innovative aerial theatre group” – Total Theatre

We were the first British company to be funded by Jeunes Talents Cirque (now circusnext). In 2007 we premiered our first full evening programme at the London International Mime Festival, to sell-out audiences.

Since then we have performed in theatres and festivals throughout the U.K and the world and have established a reputation for innovative, emotive, accessible performances.

The name Ockham’s Razor comes from a logical principle attributed to the medieval philosopher William of Ockham. It states that between two plausible theories, the simpler is preferable. It is called a razor because it cuts out unnecessary elements. As a company we work with this simple approach.

Trust is at the heart of what we do - we are committed to an inclusive, equitable, supportive working environment - creating the conditions for everyone to thrive. We are part of the  Turtle Key Arts Freelancers Manifesto.

Ockham’s Razor are Company in residence at artsdepot and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Alex Harvey
Artistic Director
Head of Rigging/Equipment

Alex studied singing and fine art at university before training at Circomedia, the academy of circus and physical theatre in Bristol. He has been Artistic Director of Ockham’s Razor since 2004 and has performed in, devised and co-directed their shows which have won awards, received critical acclaim and reached audiences around the world.

He has also performed with Improbable, the English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera New York, the National Theatre, Rosemary Lee, Amici Dance Theatre, Oily Cart, Kathryn Hunter & Marcello Magni and Theatre Rites. Alex is also a consultant for equipment design and creative rigging and has worked with companies/artists such as Emma Rice, Wild Children, The Globe, Maisie Whitehead, Sadiq Ali & Out of Order to help them develop and realise their ideas. He is a qualified circus instructor and has run circus theatre workshops worldwide.

 
Charlotte Mooney
Artistic Director
Head of Press/Fundraising

Charlotte Initially trained as a dancer. While at Sussex University studying Literature she discovered a passion for visual theatre and went to Circomedia to train in aerial and physical theatre. She has been Artistic Director of Ockham’s Razor since 2004 and since then has been devising, directing and performing their work. Alongside this she has also performed with Improbable & ENO, Theatre Rites, Oily Cart, Blue Eyed Soul, Roswitha Gerlitz & Metropolitan Opera. She has worked as a director / movement director for numerous companies including Oddly Moving, Oily Cart, Proteus, Gossamer Thread, Charmaine Childs, HandsDown Circus, She Said Jump, Sadiq Ali, Roundhouse Street Circus Collective and the National Centre for Circus Arts. She has taught devising and directing on the BA course at National Centre for Circus Arts and currently teaches on the MA in Directing Circus at Circomedia.

Charlotte also performs as a storyteller onstage, at festivals, in schools and around campfires across the UK and as a contributor to podcasts such as The Moth.