No Fit State has been training enthusiasts for 30 years. As circuses gain popularity in the UK, how can a novice train to be a performer?
As I hung upside down attempting the most basic step of aerial trapeze, the dread and anticipation started sinking in. I had watched circus performers, effortlessly twist themselves through the air, suspended several feet above the ground on just a piece of cloth. This was nothing like what I had imagined, it was harder, scarier, and far more exhilarating than I had ever expected.
Francis, one of the trainers in the open for all, free classes, has been training and performing as a circus performer since 1979. He only stopped performing 15 years ago when he started teaching aspiring artists.
“When people first come here, they always get addicted to aerials. Everybody hates groundwork,” says Francis. “It it’s always inspires people at first and then they think, ‘oh, I could also do that’, and then they start getting involved with ground stuff.”
Francis explains, the skill and physical artistry involved in circus performances have long only existed on the fringes in the world of performing arts, rarely granted the same respect as dancers, actors, or musicians.
“You don’t go to the circus to watch someone fall. You go to watch them succeed. And when they are right up in the sky, that’s lifts the spirit, the soul of humanity; to see and think we humans can do this. That is the inspiration that circus and art give out,” says Francis. Having performed in over 100 shows he says it never felt like work.
While audiences marvel at their gravity-defying stunts and perfectly timed acts, few truly understand the years of relentless training, risk, and discipline behind each performance.
The intrigue of circus is different for everyone. Francis says, “What got me into circus were the right parties. There was a fancy-dress party and the theme was circus. And all I can remember as a child from the circus is walking in between the legs of a stilt walker. So, I taught myself how to walk on stilts.”
The Association of Circus Proprietors is working with the UK government to recognise circus arts as part of this heritage, ensuring their protection and preservation. This recognition would help secure funding, cultural status, and respect for circus as an art form, putting it on par with other performing arts and safeguarding its future for generations to come.
Francis has been teaching at NoFit State in Adamstown for a few years now, where he watched me struggle to learn juggling, my eyes darting between the balls as they repeatedly hit the floor. With a knowing smile, he said that circus performance is all about rhythm, training the body to move in sync with the act. While the sparkling costumes and stage lights add to the show, the real ‘trick’ isn’t an illusion, it is pure skill.
Seren has been training as a performer all her life. She first joined the crew to learn aerial skills, but along the way, she discovered there is so much more to the world of circus than she first imagined.
Seren says, “I did my first proper show recently. We had a Welsh Spring showcase here and I was a part of that, which was really exciting. And I can’t wait for the next show I get to do.”
Pipper had joined the classes out of curiosity after attending one with her niece, and during the hula-hoop session, she was the one I watched for guidance. Of all the acts I had attempted, this was the one I was slightly more successful at, and it was gratifying to finally get the rhythm right. Circus is not just entertainment, these gravity-defying acts, no matter how small, demand sharp coordination and an understanding of the science behind movement.
Elliott, is going to go to university for circus this year. His interest in circus performance was sudden but all encompassing. “About a year and a bit ago, I went to a circus show. And I was like, “Okay, I wanna do that’, it looked like so much fun,” says Elliot. “And literally the next day I came to train, and I’ve been training ever since. It has taken over my life in the best way.”
The ancient circus has a long history, but the modern circus emerged in the 18th century. Travelling circuses became popular in the late 19th century, and some companies received government funding. Big names like Cirque du Soleil and Circus Oz emerged in the industry.
“Circus is far more exciting now,” says Francis as he taught be how to throw the Dublin in the air. And as I followed him and tried my best not to hurt the people around me, he says, “Because humans have got to do more now. They haven’t got the fallback of having an animal that will have everybody going ‘Woo…’ because they have never seen an animal.”
Modern circus performers no longer rely on animals, focusing instead on human skill, creativity, and storytelling. Ethical concerns and changing audience expectations have driven this shift, with most circuses embracing acrobatics, aerial acts, and theatrical performances. This evolution not only ensures animal welfare but also pushes the boundaries of circus arts, making shows more dynamic.
This shift toward human-focused performances has made acts like the flying trapeze more popular. Laine, a seasoned trainer, recognized my hesitation as I prepared to step onto the trapeze. Sensing my fear, she reassured me with a smile, promising that once I took the leap, I would love the thrill of it. She says, “I fell in love with flying trapeze, and I just spent all my time doing it. Anytime I had some spare time I would try and fly. Being in the air… it is really liberating.”
The appeal of circus performance is different for everyone. As I left the hall, satisfied with my experience and newfound respect for the craft, Francis said its intrigue might come from its non-competitive nature, focusing on personal growth rather than rivalry.
“It’s an art form, so there’s more expression in what you’re doing. It is not competitive, it’s more supportive. You’re doing something dangerous. You’ve got to make it entertaining. There’s got to be an art form around it, but you’ve also got to enjoy what you do have,” says Francis.