Unit 15

The July edition of The Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender with Sarah Fielding is just around the corner

Spaces are being filled fast, which is no surprise with reviews like this

Make sure you head to the link to secure your space before it's too late - https://ow.ly/lwx650Si4R4

“Sarah is the most amazing, generous and safe facilitator and dramaturg. She makes creating an absolute joy. I can’t recommend this workshop weekender highly enough.”

(Feedback from previous participant)

✨We have a fab crew on board but there’s still a few places left on our July 13/14th Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender in Bristol. Join us for a fun and creative weekend developing new ideas and approaches to making work. More info via Eventbrite link in bio.

🛏️ Accommodation available at

✨Limited PWYC and bursary places available. DM for details.

💥See you there # # #

Last month, Freya Sofia, Nick Partridge, Ruben Campbell-Paine and Serene Daydream used our fantastic space at Unit 15 to indulge us in Celtic culture with the first draft of their mesmerising show 'Folk'. Based on a folk tale, this theatre and circus show included spinning aerial rope, group acrobatics, dance and live singing

It was a pleasure to host the Circomedia performers and watch this dream like show 🍂

Earlier on in this year, Sophie, Lennart and Márton AKA One Two Many Collective joined us from Hungary as we had the pleasure of hosting them at Unit 15.

Here’s a quick Q&A with Sophie, chatting about their entry into the world of circus and their experience within the Bristol circus community 🎪🤹

The Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender is back again due to popular demand!

13th & 14th July

The Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender is full of new inspiration and ideas to help you make brilliant work.

✨Spend time considering the impact of your creative choices.

✨Gain practical tools to expand your ideas.

✨Feel empowered and excited about making work again.

✨Give time and energy to developing new projects and birthing them into reality.

✨Work with director and dramaturg Sarah Fielding to develop your practice, and explore new devising techniques.

Why should you do this?

It’s a great opportunity to spend time considering your creative process. We will explore different devising techniques and inspirations, use the open space model to investigate problems within our practice, interrogate our making processes, and spend time with our projects looking at the next steps and how to birth them into the world.

Who is this workshop for?

All makers of performance - including (but not limited to) circus artists, dance artists, and theatre makers.

What happens in the workshop?

A mixture of practical exercises, physical work and theoretical discussion. There will be presentations, feedback, and brainstorming to develop your own project and ideas. The workshop will provide a toolkit to explore new ways of working.

You can find tickets here - https://ow.ly/PhQL50RSjge

After our successful aerial intensive training last month we caught up with one of your teachers - the incredibly talented Ana Cerrato. We discussed the Bristol community and her circus repertoire. 🤸‍♀️🎪

Keep sliding to hear all of Ana’s thoughts...

It was great to see our training space full of talent and energy from the No Fit State bamboo rehearsals last week 🎍💚

It's a spectacular show that can't be missed, make sure to check out their upcoming dates via the link

https://www.nofitstate.org/shows/bamboo/

We have one workspace / studio left! Available now.
For enquiries, email [email protected]

Next week we will be hosting Zvizdal (Chernobyl - so far, so close) by BERLIN

1986. About 90 towns and villages around Pripyat are evacuated. The failure of an atomic experiment causes a drastic change in the lives of the locals. They leave their houses never to return.

Pétro and Nadia, who were born and raised in Zvizdal, refuse to be evacuated. They prefer to stay put in their old village, in their own house. A ghost town. All their friends have left, their plundered houses bear witness to better days. Petrified places, overgrown by nature.

Between 2011 and 2016 BERLIN followed Pétro and Nadia in an effort to portray the evolution of their story over the years. How does one bear years of isolation? Of no electricity, running water or heating. There are the superstitions, there is the vodka, the muttering, the cursing and praying and singing, the toothaches, the ailments of old age, the 20km walk to the nearest shop, the wait for someone from civilization.

Zvizdal is an immersive hybrid of documentary film and theatrical installation, which shows two people living in a ghost town. A portrait of solitude, survival, poverty, hope and love between two elderly people in their eighties surrounded by colourless, odourless but omnipresent radiation.

‘An intriguing conceptual meditation: slow, existential, quietly beautiful, and worthwhile.’ - The Arts Desk

“Slowly and sensitively, a remarkable portrait is created, offering no simple answers to the questions that arise, even the central one of why Pétro and Nadia chose to stay. ‘This is how it is,’ they say, and in that moment it seems that theirs is not a choice after all, but a necessity. —Irish Times

★★★★★ The Argus
★★★★ The Irish Times

May 20th & 21st | 8pm – 9:30pm (doors 7:30pm)

This performance is part of Mayfest: Bristol's international festival of contemporary theatre and live performance, curated and produced by MAYK.

Words from Kate & Matthew, co-directors, MAYK: "We were forced to cancel this show in 2020 due to us all having to isolate – poignant really, given the themes of the work. And since that time, the location of the film – deep within the Ukrainian countryside – has brought the landscape of this work to the fore once again. We’re honoured to welcome Belgian company BERLIN to Mayfest for the first time with this exquisite work."

Click the link to purchase your tickets - https://hdfst.uk/e106101

🎪 An update for all of you circus jammers! 🎪

We wanted to let you know that the circus social won’t be being held this weekend as we’ll be prepping for May Fest. We’ll be ready for you as usual next Sunday but in the meantime make sure to grab your tickets for Zvizdal (Chernobyl - so far, so close) by BERLIN which will be held at the Unit on May 20th & 21st

Tickets - https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/unit-15/mon-20-may-zvizdal-chernobyl-so-far-so-close--105811

We have one workspace / studio left! Available now.

For enquiries, email [email protected]

🍂 TOMORROW 🍂

Freya Sofia, Nick Partridge, Ruben Campbell-Paine and Serene Daydream are currently using our fantastic space at Unit 15 to create the first draft of their show 'Folk'. Based on a folk tale, this theatre and circus show includes spinning aerial rope, group acrobatics, dance and live singing. It is a family friendly show, and will be about 30 minutes long, with time afterwards to gather feedback from the audience, which will contribute to the next phase of their project.

02/05 | 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Tickets via Headfirst, https://hdfst.uk/e107899

Come along to experience an amazing contemporary show which will indulge you in the Celtic culture.

⏳ The countdown is on…

There’s only one week until our Aerial Focus Spring Training 2-Day Intensive takes you to new heights right here at Unit 15!

So, get ready for 2 days packed full of excitement as we focus on technique, motivation, and the camaraderie of our tight-knit aerial community. We’ll sculpt our bodies with invigorating warm-ups, enhance our flexibility, and channel our inner strength through conditioning exercises. You’ll also have the incredible opportunity to rally behind our amazing local teachers and make unforgettable memories

22nd – 23rd April | 10:00am – 5:45pm

Your teachers:
Trapeze with Trystan Chambers
Hoop with Ana Cerrato
Rope with Jack Rees
Straps with Eloise Currie

General Release - £200 each
Bookings close Friday

Don’t miss out! To book your spot email: [email protected]

ONLY 48 HOURS REMAIN TO PURCHASE AN EARLY BIRD SPACE 🐦🪱⭐

Don’t miss out on this incredible price for the Aerial Focus Spring Training 2-Day Intensive – slide the post to check out the incredible opportunities involved!

This aerial training will leave you with skills and confidence to further your circus career

22nd – 23rd April | 10:00am – 5:45pm

Early Bird - £175 each
General Release - £200 each
Subsidised - £120 each

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers! To book your spot email: [email protected]

Looking for a private workspace / studio?

Large studio / top floor workspace tucked away in a small industrial estate near Old Market

Ideal for creatives with lots of natural light and could also be split into multiple workspaces

The space is 12m x 6m with 3.2m height at the apex

Included is off street parking in a gated yard and use of a toilet and kitchen on the ground floor shared with basement studios

One month rolling contract

£700pcm
Available now!

For enquiries, email [email protected] – many thanks

Looking for a private workspace / studio? Look no further!

Large unit available for rent tucked away in a small industrial estate near Old Market

71.37m2
Depth - 12.2m Width - 5.85m
6.7m Height to Apex
6m x 5m area hard standing immediately in front of unit
5.3m Electric roller shutter doors - manually operated

One month rolling contract

Overhead natural and electric lighting

Three phase and single-phase power with various distribution points

Within a secure gated yard with access to a toilet and weekly rubbish collection

Not suitable for automotive industries

£950pcm
Available now!

For enquiries, email [email protected] – many thanks

Jack Rees has been studying and training rope since 2009. During these years he has honed in on a particular style. Becoming obsessed with the brake down of technique through strength and conditioning as well as exploration in dynamics and flow. His performance style very much mixes slow elegant movement with humour and physical comedy. Coming from a love of acting and clowning his character work adds a charming layer onto his performance. His work has taken him all around the world with companies such as Arcadia Spectacular, The Invisible Circus and Pirates of the Carabina

During the sessions Jack will be focussing moving through meathook as a pathway. Using it as an entrance and added flow pathway as well as the hold as a move itself. Exploring some of Jack’s favourite drills and exercises to create a strong, confident position in this area.

——

Aerial Focus Spring Training 2-Day Intensive 🌟

22nd – 23rd April | 10:00am – 5:45pm

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers! To book your spot email: [email protected]

Early Bird - £175 each
General Release - £200 each
Subsidised - £120 each

Born in Spain, moving to the UK in 2003 Ana's journey to becoming a professional aerialist started after witnessing a breathtaking aerial show in London in 2004, after which she knew she wanted to pursue a career in circus and more specifically in aerial arts. In 2005 Ana underwent a two-year professional circus course in Bristol, specialising in silks and corde-lisse. Straight out of circus school, she landed her first performing job, a contract with a traditional circus in North India and after that she never looked back.

Back in the UK, Ana started to perform at festivals and corporate events. In 2012 she returned to India, working as head of aerial at Kingdom of Dreams, the first large-scale live entertainment theatre in the country featuring a state-of-the-art Bollywood-style musical with a fully automated flying system almost twenty meters above the auditorium. Ana has since taken part in big circus productions such as Circus Rocks, a touring show around seaside holiday resorts where she performed corde-lisse alongside an international cast during the summer season.

In 2013 Ana flew to Melbourne, Australia where she took further tuition to hone her aerial hoop skills at NICA. Since then, she’s broadened her aerial repertoire with No Fit State Circus in Wales, teaching for 3 years.

She's currently performing in shows around the UK and internationally. Ana is one-fourth of Venus Aerial, an aerial troupe comprising four of the UK's most forthcoming aerial artists and is a regular feature on the Incandescence Circus Productions Christmas shows. Additionally, she has a thriving teaching practice in Bristol teaching weekly aerial classes to over 100 students at UWE, Spincity Bristol and the Albany Centre.

Her focus in these sessions will be hoop flow and bendy shapes.

——

Aerial Focus Spring Training 2-Day Intensive 🌟

22nd – 23rd April | 10:00am – 5:45pm

To book your spot email: [email protected]

General Release - £200 each
Subsidised - £120 each

It's back again due to popular demand! The Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender is full of new inspiration and ideas to help you make brilliant work.

Spend time considering the impact of your creative choices. Gain practical tools to expand your ideas. Feel empowered and excited about making work again. Give time and energy to developing new projects and birthing them into reality. Work with director and dramaturg, Sarah Fielding to develop your practice, and explore new devising techniques.

Why should I do this?

It's a great opportunity to spend time considering your creative process. Exploring different devising techniques and inspirations, using the open space model to investigate problems within our practice, interrogate our making processes, and spend time with our projects looking at the next steps and how to birth them into the world.

Who is this workshop for?

All makers of performance - including (but not limited to) circus artists, dance artists, and theatre makers.

What happens in the workshop?

A mixture of practical exercises, physical work and theoretical discussion. There will be presentations, feedback, and brainstorming to develop your own project and ideas. The workshop will provide a toolkit to explore new ways of working.

13th – 14th April | 10pm – 4pm

Price: £120
Queries: [email protected]
Booking: Click the link - https://ow.ly/cXAT50QXRi0

The Devising and Dramaturgy Weekender - THE APRIL EDITION A Devising and Dramaturgy Workshop to kickstart your creative process this April

Eloise’s career began in dance, she was then introduced to circus. After some years as a professional dancer, she dedicated 4 years of intensive training to become an aerialist & studied a BA hons degree in circus arts. Eloise has been working professionally as an aerialist for many years, establishing her work as a soloist as well as being in the beginning process of starting her own aerial/dance company.

She approaches the circus in the same way she approaches dance - as an extension of her soul. Eloise is extremely interested in exploring the intersection of mind, body and soul when it comes to any movement practice. She takes a holistic approach to teaching, she’ll consider how people's brains work, explore what their individual expression is, as well as what suits or feels best in their body. She’s led by each individual student and won't teach two people in the same way.

Throughout the aerial focus spring training sessions, she’ll focus on technique in the foundational movements. During this exploration, finding which technique suits your body type, as everyone is different. Focusing on how to create clean lines and proper alignment in the air. Specifically looking at spinning, flares, switches, beats, choreography, sequencing, and movement quality.

——

Aerial Focus Spring Training 2-Day Intensive 🌟

22nd – 23rd April | 10:00am – 5:45pm

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers! To book your spot email: [email protected]

Early Bird - £175 each
General Release - £200 each
Subsidised - £120 each

Introducing one of our brilliant teachers Trystan Chambers 🤩

Trystan is a Welsh circus artist and producer who specialises in dynamic and catch release static trapeze. His background lies in dance and artistic gymnastics, until discovering circus and working in traditional circus, still all at a young age. Eventually Trystan moved to Bristol where he did his degree at Circomedia. Since graduating, Trystan has co-founded Grounded Circus, and performed both across the UK and internationally with companies such as NoFit State Circus, The Netherlands National Circus and of course, here in Bristol with The Invisible Circus. Trystan enjoys bringing his understanding of gymnastics to his aerial discipline.

Trystan will run a dynamic trapeze workshop focusing specifically on catch release tricks. The session will look at the use of tempos, learning new vocabulary and linking different catch release tricks.

Email: [email protected] to book your space

We’re thrilled to play host to the Ecological Circus Perform: Spring Equinox Ritual, where there will be mesmerising circus performances, soul-stirring poetry, and harrowing music. Join the community as we gather to celebrate the arrival of spring in a truly immersive and magical way🍃

Evva Semenowicz will lead us through a ritual of intention-setting and gratitude, weaving together meditation, movement, and song

Bring your offerings from the living world and water from your local spring to contribute to the ceremony

Arrive early to settle in, explore the space, and enjoy some wild teas and tinctures

Come together to honour the earth and welcome the season of renewal with open hearts and joyous spirits

This Sunday | March 17th | 1pm - 4pm

Head over to the link to book - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-equinox-ritual-tickets-847070620027?aff=erelexpmlt

💗Do you have 2 - 3 years bookkeeping experience ?
A passion for numbers, interest in the arts and previous experience working in the creative &/or hospitality sector ?

😀Then we’d love to meet you!
Our new part-time bookkeeping position straddles two separate sister companies, The Invisible Circus and The Loco Klub

Your role will be working alongside the Finance Officer and providing support to the Company Manager; attending meetings and delivering ad hoc tasks across the wider business where necessary.

The role is 16 hours per week, ideally, split over two days a week

📝The main duties
Raise Invoicing
Processing income
Utilities management
Making payments, including all casual staff and suppliers
Processing cash and iZettle bar take
Payroll
Bar stock audits
Processing petty cash and expenses
Monitoring and chasing aged debt
Cash and bank account reconciliation
VAT returns
Cash flow
Budgeting
Data entry
Maintaining financial records
Revenue and expedition forecasting
Credit control / tenancy agreements

👋Read the full job description and find out how to apply on our website 🔺LINK In BIO 🔺

Email [email protected] for a PDF job description

⏰Application deadline: 31st December 2023

🤸🏽‍♀️✨Don't miss the opportunity to attend the Bristol Partner Acrobatics Weekend with Tom the Acrobat
next Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th of December.

​Tom Mörtl is returning to Bristol to offer a weekend training in partner acrobatics, his only UK intensive this year!

Tom is a German professional circus artist and teacher who started training Dutch acrobatics, upgraded it with Ukrainian technique, refined his work under the tutelage of various experienced coaches and incorporated elements of dance and martial arts in his movement.

Since graduating from the circus school ACAPA in Tilburg, he has been performing in various festivals, theatres, operas, circuses and dance shows amongst others. You can find out more about Tom at https://tomtheacrobat.com/
​
✨Focus will be on technique, efficiency in tricks, and learning some cool elements.
Participants will learn how to break down complex skills and work with dynamic energy.

The workshops will be adjusted to the participant's level and interests.
If some drills are too hard, there will be an easier pre-exercise.
If some tricks are too easy, then there is always a way to make it difficult for you!

H2H and F2H techniques and tricks (entrances, transitions, dismounts)
Lifting and throwing (pitching, podcheska, flying tricks)
One arm, one foot, knot and more
Technical training, drills and fundamentals
​
Pre-requisites:
- L-base h2h & f2h
- standing f2h
- standing h2h with a 50 % success rate

If you have any questions about the pre-requisites, please get in touch at [email protected]

Fee
£175 full price
£140 concession

You decide which price bracket you pay based on your circumstances.
​Register here:
https://forms.gle/hQBWdcYMYED52GTH6

🎉 FLASH SALE ALERT ! 🎉
Get ready to party without breaking the bank! 🕺💸

✨ For a limited time, we're offering an exclusive £10 off on tickets to our swanky 1920s Prohibition-meets-Bristol Christmas bash! 🎄

Don't miss out on the glitz, glam, and all that jazz. 🎄🎪💃🏽🍸

For more information and a brochure, please click here ✨https://www.locoklub.com/fairytale-of-bristol/

Use code FLASH10 when you book, and let's make this holiday season one to remember!

🎟️ Email [email protected] to get your tickets now!🎅

Event dates:
Thursday 30th Nov
Friday 1st Dec
Thursday 7th Dec
Thursday 14th Dec
Friday 15th Dec
Saturday 16th Dec

🎪As the dust settles post-show and Circus City Circus City is rolling out, we got around the table Unit 15 with other Bristol circus movers and shakers to talk about what the future holds and what our community needs.

What will our circus city look like with no more circus spaces and how will the accessible art and culture Bristol is famous for survive if those championing the economic development it has enabled aren’t willing to safeguard it Bristol City Council?

Too little too late or everything to play for? Cup half full or city well over half empty of art spaces ? One things for sure, it’s now or never to make a change and take a stand ✊🏽💟

Arts Council England
Pirates of the Carabina
Puppet Place
Cirque Bijou
CircusWorks
Arcadia

💕If you would like to keep up to date with our news and all our upcoming events, please join our mailing list
https://ow.ly/GCOX50PTH4y

💥We can’t shout out enough about the awesome support received for Welcome to the Future

From all of the Invisible Circus family The Invisible Circus , old and new, the Unit 15 team Unit 15 as well as the Loco Klub crew The Loco Klub - all of whom stepped up and went above and beyond across the board.

Here also we would like to acknowledge a few external companies and individuals who went all out in their support of the project -

Bristol Beer Factory Bristol Beer Factory Paul rose and all of the AF Live team AF Live , Paul Jarvis and all at Copper Red Design Ltd Copper Red Design Ltd. Robin and The Bedford Smokehouse crew.

Thanks once again for all the love and energy that went into such a memorable event. X DF

📷Image: Colin Moody https://www.weareplaster.com/

💕If you would like to keep up to date with our news and all our upcoming events, please join our mailing list
https://ow.ly/GCOX50PTH4y