Circus combines tradition with climate message

Think of a circus and the big top, clowns, acrobats and trapeze artists come to mind - but there is a circus with a difference on tour this summer.

Young people in Gloucestershire have been given the opportunity to combine traditional circus skills with voicing their concerns about the environment.

The Great Big Climate Circus is a four-year project, funded by a National Lottery grant, which will visit 12 locations across Gloucestershire.

Devised by Dursley-based World Jungle, the circus is a mix of music, performance, visual arts and hands-on activities, co-created by more than 700 young people.

Director Ben Ward said the aim was to make the issues surrounding climate change accessible, fun and relevant to everyday life.

"Rather than using fear or blame, the arts are a brilliant way to engage young people and build confidence," he said.

"The circus enables participants to express their thoughts and feelings about the planet and to inspire others in positive action."

Since April, The Great Big Climate Circus has hosted free arts workshops to allow participants to work on their performances and create costumes and backdrops to decorate the big top circus tent.

"We wanted to create a clear scene using our acrobatic skills to put forward our message of green energy versus fossil fuels," said Robyn Beaudro, 18, who attends the School of Larks circus school in Stroud.

"As someone who's always been quite an activist for climate change, inspired by Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough, it's nice to be able to inspire more young people to do the same," she said.

The show was first launched in Stroud on 20 June with further performances taking place in Dursley and Gloucester later in July.

"The audience thought the message was really well conveyed and really quite provocative," said Beaudro after the opening night.

Daisy Koos, 20, who also trains with the School of Larks, said her circus act was a great way to combine her acrobatic skills with a climate message.

"Being able to put it into body movement and a routine that we've worked really hard towards making has been really inspiring, even for me as well," she said.

"It's been really nice to put the message out to the younger generation."

Stroud-based Creative Sustainability, which has co-led the project, will continue to support about 120 young people throughout the year to develop confidence to take further action.

Project manager Honor Binning said: "The golden thread throughout all this work is young people's voices.

"We are excited to see their ideas come to life."

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