Gynoid
March 24, 2012
Here is a brand new teaser for my new glow hoop act ‘Gynoid’.
In ‘Gynoid’, I’m exploring movement and manipulation, as well as the relation between the machine and the human body, through hula hoops.
How is our body affected by the props and tools, that we use every day? If our body is the main tool, the machine, what can influence and radically transform its appearance and purpose?
Many thanks to Thomas Forsyth for editing this video.
‘Box of Frogs’
February 6, 2012
In October 2011, I started working with Stumble danceCircus on a very different circus – theatre show, ‘Box of Frogs’. Under the direction of Mish Weaver, I joined another 4 circus performers and 2 musicians to explore Bipolar disorder and the connections between mental health and performance. After an extremely interesting and emotional first month of creation, we premiered the show at Jackson’s Lane Theatre, London. We will be bringing a newly developed version of the show back to the stage, in April 2012, so come and check it out: http://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/whats-on/event/2012/box-of-frogs
Hula Hooping Bon Bons at Fortnum & Mason
December 26, 2011
In the run – up to Christmas 2010, I had the opportunity to work with some of the best hoopers in London (including Craig Reid, Jessie Rose and Tiina Tuomisto), performing as part of the ‘Big Give’ fundraising event at Fortnum and Mason, London.
Our performance area was on the ground floor of the shop, where they have the most amazing displays of sweets, chocolates, wine, tea, cakes and biscuits.. Basically, all the delicious things in life.
With the direction of Marawa the Amazing, we created a bespoke piece, specifically for the event, inspired by all the treats in the shop and taking advantage of the dramatic spiral staircase that they have.
Stephen Fry was the host of the night and we had a chance to hang out with him in the cellar of the shop, in between performances. He was very friendly and liked our hoops a lot!
The result was a very sparkly, brighter than bright hula hoop routine, which was pure fun to perform.
A big thank you to the Circus Space for making this happen. More fun photos of the night are on my Flickr page.
Balagan – The Circus Music Show
September 21, 2011
Balagan (literally ‘chaos’, in German), is a state of mind, a mood, a feeling of joy and pure energy.
Last August 2011, I joined forces with eight true musicians, a charismatic singer and other circus performers from all over the world to create a colourful sea of images and feelings – the Balagan show, directed by Sebastiano Toma.
The cast was made by incredibly talented and friendly people, including:
Alba, a gorgeous and superfunny contortionist.
Thomas Dürrfeld and Marie Seeger, as known as Fernando and Serafina, who did lovely ball and club juggling.
Momo Kohlschmidt, one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, who accompanied us with her sweet voice.
I loved spinning my hoops to the live music, a cheeky mix of classical, klezmer, tango and even punk music. The energy of all the musicians on stage added a real buzz to the joy I feel when performing.
All the artists involved in Balagan made this one of the best experiences I have had so far.
Photos were taken by Sebastiano Toma and Giorgio Radoja, during our tour in Binz ans Sylt, Germany 2011. You can see more on my Flickr.
Glastonbury Festival 2011
August 9, 2011
This summer I got to live one of my dreams, as I got booked to perform in the Circus Big Top at Glastonbury Festival.
Despite the extreme, hardcore conditions, it was one of the best, most fun and exciting experiences in my life. The Circus Field was possibly one of the best areas on site, and I was lucky enough to camp, work and spend most of my time there.
Behind the Circus Big Top there was an amazing team of smiley, hard-working and talented people, coming together to keep the show going on day and night, for 4 days. Performing on a massive stage to such a varied audience was truly incredible.
To me, Glastonbury was like a joke, the best joke I’ve ever heard. I am very much looking forward to the next one.
Photos were taken by Jon Green, Andrew and Joey Allcock.
‘Spherical Movements’
April 3, 2011
My friend, the very talented Jonathan Green, asked me to collaborate on a video project for Purpl, an independent clothing company that delivers high quality streetwear and showcases original artwork. A group of friends with different passions, we took our tools, toys and ideas to Hungry Tiger Studios, London. The result was ‘Spherical Movements’.
Director & DP: Jonathan Green
Camera & Editor: Ben Green
Key Grip: Lisa Bennett
Music: Joel Harries
The Phoenix
March 25, 2011
One of my childhood dreams was to transform into a cartoon and live in a paper world of fantasy.
After seeing me spin fire, my Italian friend, Valentina Murphy, made my dream come true with these lovely illustrations.
I just love it when people inspire each other through different means of creative expression.
Not only did Valentina turned me into a cartoon, she turned me into a Phoenix, a mythical sacred firebird, which was believed to reproduce itself from its own ashes and thus has always been a symbol of rebirth, immortality, and renewal. Classical myths have always been one of my ongoing interests and sources of inspiration, so seeing her work left a very big smile on my face.
More lovely illustrations are on Valentina’s blog.
Uncomfort Zone
March 23, 2011
What is dance? What is beauty?
‘Uncomfort Zone’ explored the key aspects of Mehmet Sander‘s renowned ‘Manifesto on Dance’: dance is a premise to refuse comfort, emotion and music, in favour of collision, maximum velocity and gravity as enhancements of – rather than inhibitions to – performance.
I took part in a five-day workshop where Sander, performer and choreographer of high-impact dance, challenged the participants physically, mentally, and intellectually. He pushed us to overcome some of our most natural fears as human beings – falling, colliding and trusting people – and led us into a whole new way of perceiving dance, purity and beauty.
The workshop was followed by 2 live public performances in the Great Hall, People’s Palace at Queen Mary, University of London.
Photos were taken by Bobby Whittaker and you can find more on my Flickr.
NYE 2010 with Circus Marcel, Belgium
February 3, 2011
I was invited to perform ‘Atma’ as part of the NYE show organized by the Vanderborght family and Circus Marcel in Rumes, Belgium.
We worked together to create a show that combined exciting and mesmerising contemporary circus with some funny and poetic moments of traditional circus.
‘Atma’ was chosen as the final act of the show, which was very flattering, since the great talent of all the other artists.
All the people involved helped to create an incredible atmosphere that showed how passionate we all are about what we do. A million thanks to the very talented Amaury Vanderborght and his family and all the other friends and artists who made this happen.
More lovely photographs of the whole event are on my Flickr page.
International Circus Festival at the Dusseldorf Airport
December 20, 2010
In December 2010, I was selected to take part in the 2nd International Circus Festival at the Düsseldorf Airport. The talented performers came from all over the world to share a very unusual and exciting day at the German airport.
The whole departure hall in the terminal was used as the performing area, which provided an extraordinary and impressive backdrop as well as free entertainment for the transient audience.
We performed in front of a top-class jury of circus experts, including the Director of GOP Varieté Essen, who awarded prize money, engagements by GOP Varieté Essen and by Et Cetera Varieté Bochum as well as prizes in kind from Jack Wolfskin. Although we were measuring ourselves in a competition, the atmosphere was very friendly and all the artists were very supportive of each other.
Photos were taken by Andreas Wiese and you can find more on my Flickr.
