Albert & Friends Instant Circus (1983 - 2019)
Biography
Albert & Friends Instant Circus (A&FIC) was a contemporary social circus charity based in London, that worked with children and young people with physical and learning difficulties, problem children and excluded youths to develop their potential through circus and the physical arts. A&FIC was stablish in 1983 and incorporated on 22 November 1996.
Their aims were to inspire and celebrate individual achievement through innovative learning and the development of diverse skills, aptitudes and experiences which challenged, influenced and changed life expectations and unlocked individual potential. They were also involved in plans to combat childhood obesity through circus skills.
The company was founded in London in 1983 by Ian Scott Owens (aka Albert the clown) and Petrea Owens (aka Trea) and gained worldwide recognition for its highly skilled, innovative circus theatre performances. Its reputation and performance schedule extended to New York, Paris, Rome, Frascati, Edinburgh, Beijing, Hamburg, Ljubljana, Maastricht and Adelaide. A&FIC developed from a local summer project in 1983, to a voluntary youth organisation in 1988, to a registered Charity in 1997. Trea established A&FIC as a model of good practice in both youth circus and circus arts education gaining Arts Council England recognition in 2004 and National Portfolio Organisation status in 2012.
Albert also worked with Melcombe Primary School in Hammersmith and created a curriculum for circus skills to be taught in schools for a variety of lessons including Maths and History for Key Stage 1-3.
Albert and Trea also created the biennial London International Youth Circus Festival in 2004 providing a platform for young people to perform on the world stage.
A&FIC played a pivotal role in creating both Circus Works, the national UK network for youth circus organisations, and the European Youth Circus Organisation, of which Trea is President. Trea has contributed considerably to the development of the sector both in the UK and Europe.
A&FIC was disolved on 15 October 2019.
Found in 365 Collections and/or Records:
Jacques Prevert I DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
James Murphy Untitled Tape 01 VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Jerusalem Circus Optical Disk, c2000 - 2012
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Jeugdcircus Fantastini Circus Photographs, 2006
Includes photographs of a performance by Jeugdcircus Fantastini Circus.
Jeugdcircus Fantastini Circus Photographs, 2006
Colour prints of young people and children on stage performing on unicycles and balls, juggling, clowning and acrobatic tricks, at Jeugdcircus Fantastini Circus in Groningen, Netherlands.
Karneval Der Harlekine: Ein Theatreprojekt im Zirkuszelt Optical Disk, 2001
Film made by Circus Kaos. Duration 83 minutes.
Le Petit Cirque Des Horrors and Persil Advert - Aug 1993 VHS Tape, August 1993
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Le Petit Cirque des Horrors Cross Stitch, 1993
Framed cross stitch depicting Ian Scott Owens, Petrea Owens (aka Trea), and two children who are stilt walking and unicycling, all shown dressed in the yellow and black costumes, with the following words: '1993 Albert & Friends Instant Circus: Le Petit Cirque des Horrors'.
Liverpool Photographs, c1983 - 1989
Includes photographs of a circus skills workshops for children and young people facilitated by Albert & Friends Instant Circus in Liverpool.
Liverpool Photographs, c1983 - 1989
Black and white photographs of workshops and performances involving children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus in Liverpool.
LIYC Images Optical Disk, 2008
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Ljubljana Photographs, c1995 - 1997
Colour photographs of children taking part in circus skills workshops run by Albert & Friends Instant Circus in a park and also inside a hall in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Ljubljana Photographs, [1997]
Colour photographs of children taking part in circus skills workshops run by Albert & Friends Instant Circus in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Ljubljana Photographs, [1997]
Colour photographs of circus skills workshops with children and young people, facilitated by Ian Scott Owens of Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Ljubljana Photographs, [1997]
Colour photographs of a trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and circus skills workshops with children and young people, facilitated during the trip by Ian Scott Owens of Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
London Parade Edited Highlights 1996 Plus TV Showreel 1997 VHS Tape, 1996 - 1997
Edited highlights (Duration 5 minutes). TV coverage showreel (Duration: 30 minutes).
London's New Year's Day Parade Showtime Stars Award Plaque, 2018
Showtime Stars plaque awarded to 'Walking, Rolling Circus of Hammersmith and Fulham', for taking part in London's New Year's Day Parade.
Maastricht Photograph Album, 1997
Photograph album titled, 'Easter in Maastricht Parade 1997', containing colour photographs of Ian Scott Owen, with young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown stilt walking in an Easter Parade during a trip to Maastricht, Netherlands.
Maastricht Photographs, 1997
Includes photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus performing in a parade during a trip to Maastricht, Netherlands.
Macy's Parade Certificate of Appreciation Plaque, 2004
Certificate of appreciation awarded to Albert & Friends Instant Circus by the Macy's Parade Committee for taking part in Macy's 78th Annual Thanksgiving Parade. White background, red and black text, with an illustration of parade floats and mounted on wooden board, 1p.