Circomedia

physical theatre

Circomedia is the leading centre for circus with physical theatre in Europe.

Circomedia was founded over ten years ago by physical theatre expert, Bim Mason and choreographer and performer Helen Crocker. It rose out of the ashes of Fooltime, Britain’s first ever circus school and ever since has attracted students from all over the world. It is different from many circus schools as there is a heavy emphasis on combining traditional circus skills with physical theatre and creativity. It is this approach to performance that has led to Circomedia being acknowledged as a centre of excellence worldwide.

Circomedia is based in Bristol , a vibrant city with perhaps the highest concentration of circus and theatre performers in the UK. The school has two sites; The leafy premises of a former Victorian school on the outskirts of Bristol and the recently restored St Paul’s Church in Portland Square. This new centre in the heart of the city has just been refurbished by the Church’s Conservation Trust thanks to a 2.3 million GBP Heritage Lottery Grant.

Circomedia have installed a purpose built permanent flying trapeze rig and sprung dance floor. This is the first development of its kind in Europe and it has created an exceptional space for training, performance and events.


Circomedia was founded over fifteen years ago by physical theatre expert, Bim Mason and choreographer and performer Helen Crocker. It rose out of the ashes of Fooltime, Britain’s first ever circus school and ever since has attracted students from all over the world. It is different from many circus schools as there is a heavy emphasis on combining traditional circus skills with physical theatre and creativity. It is this approach to performance that has led to Circomedia being acknowledged as a centre of excellence worldwide.

Artistic policy

Circomedia is committed to the principles of performer as creator and the integration of circus disciplines with theatre in its widest sense.

If performers in circus and theatre are to be able to contribute to the creative process and be more than the vehicle of a director’s vision, we believe the development of the individual’s creative and performance skills to be of equal importance to those of technical expertise.

Educational philosophy

Our educational philosophy is that it is essential that minds and personalities need developing as much as bodies. Our training has a pragmatic approach to learning for a vocational profession and a holistic approach to teaching each individual.

We ensure that the demands and rigours of good technique are met whilst encouraging people to develop an innovative and imaginative approach to circus and physical theatre. This development is informed by expanding students’ range of knowledge of possible styles and approaches.

“The RADA of circus / theatre”

Circomedia is the trading name of Academy of Circus Arts & Physical Theatre which is a UK registered limited company no. 2928738 and also a registered charity no. 1056852. The registered office address (not for correspondence) is c/o MWM, 11 Great George Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS1 5RR.

 

Circomedia

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