IN PICTURES: CIRCOLOMBIA
Forget everything you know about circus. Circolombia is nothing like the animal jumping circus you remember as a child. Circolombia is gritty, modern, full of attitude and comprised of a motley crew of exuberant young artists, whose awe-inspiring acrobatic prowess is matched by their high voltage energy.
The troupe is made up of graduates from the National School of Circo Para Todos (“Circus For All”). Many of them grew up on the streets of Cali in western Colombia. They were given their break by a British woman called Felicity Simpson, a former circus performer who set up the school with the help of a grant of £250,000 from the National Lottery, in 1997.
Circolombia have bought their mind-boggling skills to the Roundhouse on multiple occasions. Their willingness to take terrifying risks on stage and gravity-defying performances finds a natural backdrop in the soaring ceiling of the Main Space, making a huge impression on audiences.
Cloud ropes in Acelere, Circolombia 2015
Credit: David Levene, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Gas lights in Acelere, Circolombia 2015
Credit: David Levene, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Cloud Swing in Acelere, Circolombia 2015
Credit: David Levene, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Cloud swing aerial shot in Acelere, Circolombia 2015
Credit: David Levene, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Dental straps in Acelere, Circolombia 2015
Credit: David Levene, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Urban Angela in Urban, Circolombia 2011
Credit: Ben Hopper, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Urban, Circolombia 2011
Credit: Ben Hopper, under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
The incredible diversity in Colombia coupled with the drive the artists have to express themselves through their talents, plus the power and energy that comes from the artists on stage and the strong relationship they have with the audience. – Renato Rocha, Director of Acelere, Circolombia
