Summer of Circus has just begun here in Worthing. We are looking forward to many more exciting and thrilling circus acts to come this season.
The first of our indoor circus events takes shape with Brave Space from Aloft. It is a daring and intimate piece that invites the audience to help construct the performance space during the show. We caught up with director Shayna Swanson to find out more.
How are you feeling about your upcoming show in Worthing?
I’m thrilled! I hear there is a beach!
What can audiences expect from Brave Space – without giving too much away?
Brave Space is very different from your typical show. You don’t walk into the theatre and have a seat and passively consume art. You become a part of it. Our show is actually impossible to do without the audience! Everyone participates, whether they realise it or not…each person makes the show unique.
How did you develop the idea of constructing the performance space as part of the show – what inspired this idea?
During the creation process for the show we kept having ideas – “What if we did this or this?” – and then we would realise that we couldn’t do the idea because we didn’t have enough people in the cast to make it happen. But then I remembered… we have a whole audience full of people who can help us! So we thought “Let’s try it out and see how it goes!” It was scary at first to put our faith in the audience like that!
As the act involves a level of audience participation, what changes each time you perform?
Especially when we perform in countries where English is not the native language, sometimes the audience doesn’t realise what we are asking them. So they just follow their instincts… And sometimes those instincts are not the right thing to do in a moment. Then the rest of the audience joins them in doing the wrong thing and we just sort of need to adapt on the fly! But it’s never a huge deal and it adds an element of improvisation and fun.
What are some of the biggest challenges you faced in creating/putting on this piece?
It’s a tough show to pull off financially, actually. That’s the biggest issue. To make a show that is so intimate and we only have 100 people in the audience each time. But we still have to pay seven artists and a manager, and cover our expenses. It’s really challenging, but it wouldn’t be the same show if we hadn’t done it this way. So we just have to deal with it!
We have to rely on the generosity of presenting bodies and grants and funders to make it possible, since we can’t really just break even with ticket sales. So we are always so grateful when organisations like Worthing Theatres & Museum find a way to make it work!
How do you prepare for performances?
It takes about a month to build the show back up and rehearse it for a new tour. We work the acts with safety lines and spotters for the first few weeks. There are a million little tiny details that each artist needs to remember to make the show work, so we brush off those cobwebs. Then we start doing full out runs!
On the day of the show we eat some good, healthy, fuelling foods. We do hair and makeup, warm up, stretch. Then we run a few of the harder skills or tricks in the show. We centre ourselves by running the juggling act once or twice.
How would you describe your style of circus performance?
Personal. We try to connect with each person in the audience and absorb the energy around us and play it back to the audience.
What do you most enjoy about being part of Brave Space?
I love watching my friends be amazing! I love watching the audience look up at the aerial act from the ground, with kids cuddled up with their parents and friends holding hands and everyone has such a look of wonder and joy on their faces. It’s the best part.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing young circus performers/people who want to start a career in circus at the moment?
There’s just not enough performance opportunities for all the new, talented artists. People need to make their own opportunities and that’s tiring and takes time away from training.
Do you have a favourite circus artist, or group whose work you admire most?
I love No-Fit State and Gravity and Other Myths
Do you have any memorable moments from this show/audience interactions?
When we were just in Belgium a group of very elderly folks came, so there were like 4 people in wheelchairs. Looking at their faces during the show made me so happy because they looked so happy. I was so glad that we were able to accommodate them and make it possible for them to enjoy this experience too. Also, I love when I see little kids jumping up and down and clapping and shouting things out. I just love when the audience is responsive like that!
Summarise the show in 3 words
Intimate trusting community.
Designed to be able to pop up anywhere, Brave Space requires 100% trust between performers and audience as together they physically construct the show and keep the artists aloft. It can be adapted for customers with access needs.
Brave Space is here at the Pavilion Theatre Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July. Be sure to book your tickets and help build the Brave Space together.