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On a dark February evening, a story unfolds in one of the theatre spaces at Arts Depot, north London. Under dim stage lights, a cast of circus performers invite audiences to ‘The Hotel’, where, in this dystopian world, everyone must attend. Its eccentric occupants fly you through the hotel halls, exploring what romance and love look like in a binary world
An aerial performer hangs upside down on a rope tied to a couch; another spins in a Cyr wheel accompanied by the dark strum of violins; and acrobats balance on each other’s shoulders. As the beats of jazz and swing dissolve into classical intensity the performers move gracefully over the stage.
The performance is called “Stay A While,” directed by Jason Dupree, a celebrated alumni of the National Centre for Circus Arts. His vision is being brought to life by the third year students, as part of their final year ensemble production. It is a perfect example of how National Centre students can make you laugh, cry, and drop your jaw in awe; they’re the embodiment of everything the circus arts should be.
“I love how the circus arts as an artform is so free,” says graduate Helga Ehrenbusch. “For me, circus arts is a collaboration of theatre, dance, and circus. That means that a circus can be anything because it’s free form, accessible for everyone — anyone can watch, experience, or perform it.”
In search of opportunities within the circus industry, Ehrenbusch made the move from Estonia to London to become a BA (Hons) in Circus Arts student at the National Centre. The three-year long programme is filled with intensive training, and aims to produce top circus artists who are physically and mentally adept, cultivating their artistry and creativity through collaboration. As a hub for over 400 practising artists in the sector, it makes the National Centre an exhilarating community to be part of.
“My favourite thing was being able to do projects with my classmates, as we had an ensemble performance directed for us every year. In second and third years we worked on our own devised pieces, and in the third year we were also able to perform in Underbelly’s Leicester Square spiegeltent with our own cabaret act,” reflects Ehrenbusch. “I met excellent teachers, choreographers with very diverse practices, [and] artists to collaborate with.”
The magic happens in an old Victorian power station-turned-circus facility based in the heart of East London, where professional circus artists and specialists make up the high-calibre faculty. These are performers, arts educators, dancers, and circus directors with vast professional experience, now dedicated to bringing the best out of each student’s potential.
Students are trained in more than just performance disciplines, ensuring graduates leave the National Centre as well-rounded artists. In former industrial surroundings, now transformed into spaces for training, the faculty teach their students about the history of circus, theatre, movement and composition, group acrobatics, circus from the technical perspective, and more.
The National Centre for Circus Arts offers training facilities that cater to circus artists across acrobatics, aerial performances, and more. Source: National Centre for Circus Arts
For Jonathan Goh, a final year BA student originally from Singapore, the diversity in skills and knowledge gained during his three years at the National Centre has redefined what circus means to him. He says, “it allowed me to understand the historical concept and the root of where some things come from. The degree also equips me with self-care and an understanding of my own body, which helps to prolong my career in this industry.”
There’s lots to take away from the National Centre experience, as Goh has discovered. For Goh, he cherishes the support system and resources provided by the school, as well as the high-standard of its equipment and facilities, which provide a range of different disciplines. By training in a vibrant city like London, he’s also able to discover circus shows and artists he’d never seen before.
The nurturing atmosphere and encouragement of creative freedom offered at the National Centre is what breeds long-standing careers — and that support doesn’t stop at graduation. Many graduates continue to train at the National Centre after completing their course, as access to its facilities is provided to them for free for one year after graduation. They can also continue to make connections as a part of its professional network.
With that kind of support and encouragement, there’s no limit to what their graduates can achieve, with many going on to found their own companies, become artistic directors, and more. Ehrenbusch was offered a two-year contract to work with the globally acclaimed, Australian-based company C!rca right after graduating. And Goh is aiming to build a career that reflects his identity as a Singaporean-Chinese artist once he finishes his training.
Many students remain linked to the National Centre for years after graduating. In 2021, US graduate Tara Talland returned to perform at its fundraising gala, reprising her devised aerial hoop piece, “Ode to the Party Girl”. She’s also performed with renowned circus companies in the UK like Upswing, and last year joined the NoFit State Circus based in Wales for their 2024 tour of “Sabotage”.
If you’re aspiring to be a professional circus artist and are interested in joining the passionate community at the National Centre, click here to learn more about the BA (Hons) in Circus Arts today.
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