Tell me about you and your family/where you live

I live alongside Riley Park in Marlow. I have three children and I am a single parent. I have struggled immensely at times! I have two teenagers and I fully appreciate the highs and lows that we all go through as parents, as people, and the little things that make life so much easier. My children have helped me in many of my circus jobs; most enjoyable are the festival events where they can dip in
and out of the activities where their skills are strongest.

 

What's so good about the local area? Where are your favourite places to go?

Marlow is a fantastic place to live. We love Marlow Common – it's so beautiful all year round. My most special place is the Buddhist Stupas in the Marlow Bottom Woods that Albertina Choules built with her husband. Some people may know of the tragedy that befell her… but she has left behind her the most sacred space in the woods that are her lasting legacy. It is a place I where I draw great peace, strength and inspiration. St Peter's School is the location where I hang my aerial equipment (trapeze, silk, hoop, rope), and I go there often to train and teach. It is just up the road from where I live and I love the creative and warm atmosphere the space offers. It is really a space where I can tune in to myself and let go.

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Tell me about your business/aerial classes

I started Circus Passion 10 years ago! First of all, I offered children's parties and circus workshops. Then I did a intensive aerial course in London and really refined my skills and honed who I was as an artist. It was then that I bought my freestanding aerial rig (that I set up at the Marlow Regatta each year) and rigged up St Peter's School Hall. What I offer is totally unique. I have trained extensively within the circus for 20 years, and I bring passion and experience into my work with students. I offer aerial circus parties at the school, so if your child is sporty and inspired by hanging upside down, I can take a maximum of 12 children and put them through their paces to give them an experience that they will not only not forget, but their bodies will remember it for a lifetime. I teach adults too... I am too busy to do regular adult classes right now, but instead I am offering 1:1s, or if you and your friends want to come together, I can arrange that too.

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Have you always been interested in doing this? What do you like about it the most?

I discovered the circus aged 17… my love for drama, art and gymnastics led to a scholarship with Zippo's Circus with whom I travelled with in their Big Top. I love being physical and learning to time my breath with my performance. I enjoy enhancing my skills, the work of Laban is influencing me greatly and I look forward to including contemporary dance within my acts this summer. Although I am very much a sole trader and I have huge motivation to train alone, I feed off other like-minded circus performers and I gather a team together each year to push out a creative show. I thrive when working within the company of other professionals who give me the drive to up my game. I really do also love to work with the public; it is a blessing to give joy to others and I am so thankful when I have completed a children's party, or finished a school workshop, or helped an adult aerial student
reach their best ... the gratitude and joy that they express makes my job more than worthwhile.

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Did you have to do any business courses or training for your business?

Absolutely. I have trained extensively. I have a diploma in circus skills from UK's renowned Zippo's Circus; acertificate of intensive training with London-based Aircraft Circus, A Level 3 First Aid at Work Certificate, a Rigging for aerial performers certificate with High Performance Productions, a BTEC

in performing arts... and much, much more I also train myself continuously and meet up with my many contacts in the circus industry to train and perform. Most recently, I have become a member
of the Actor's Centre in Leicester Square, where I am exploring my talent as a vocal actress and movement artist.  

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What is the best part of it? And the worst? 

The best part? The people who I meet, train with and perform to. Also the feeling I get when I am in the zone. The worst part? If what I am doing becomes stagnant... if my act or energy loses drive, then I have to fire it up again.

 

What is your best act?

Without a doubt the best act I have ever done is Doubles Trapeze with Moira Campbell of Aircraft Circus. We performed the act as part of the Midnight Circus Show at Jacksons Lane 2014 and the danger, thrill, sexiness and excitement was out of this world.

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Have you seen an increased interest since The Greatest Showman came out?  

Absolutely!!!

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Who is your idol?

Neal Scanlan, the head of the Creatures Department for Star Wars. I have worked closely with him on a number of creature characters and I have learnt a lot from him about how to deal with people, but
I have been so impressed with the way he manages his team, keeping them close and getting the best out of them. Total respect.

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Anything else we don't know about you?

Working as a creature performer, within a heavy suit dressed as a robot, droid or alien on Star Wars, was the most personal, private, isolating experience on the planet. Being on set was electric, trusting my team to help me if I got into trouble but knowing that ultimately, when enveloped in a heavy suit, nobody really knew what I was thinking/seeing/feeling… it was just me, alone, in the dark having to sweat it out.

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www.circuspassion.co.uk