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:
Macy's Parade Certificate of Appreciation Plaque, 1996
Certificate of appreciation awarded to Albert & Friends Instant Circus by the Macy's Parade Committee for taking part in Macy's 70th Annual Thanksgiving Parade. White background, red and black text, with an illustration of parade floats and mounted on wooden board, 1p.
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Photograph Album, 1996
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown stilt walking in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade(?) in New York, United States of America. This photograph album also includes colour photographs of members of Albert & Friends Instant Circus rehearsing and performing during a trip to Hamburg, Germany.
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Photograph Album, 2000
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of a residential trip for children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus to New York, United States of America. Includes photographs of rehearsals and preparations for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade(?).
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Photograph Album, c1995 - 2008
Photograph album titled, 'New York 2000 November', containing colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown sightseeing and at leisure, practicing their circus skills (stilt walking and unicycling), a street performance and also taking part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade during a trip to New York, United States of America.
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Photographs, c1995 - 2008
Includes photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, taking part in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade during trips to New York, United States of America.
Masken: Ein Film von Harold Marx Optical Disk, 2006
Film made by Circus Kaos. Duration 80 minutes.
Meccombe Q+A DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Melcombe Show 04/07/2005 DV Cassette Tape, 4 July 2005
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Midsummers Night's Dream Poster, c2004 - 2005
Printed poster advertising, 'Midsummer Night's Dream: An Alternative' by Albert & Friends Instant Circus at the Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Laminated, black background, white text and an illustration of a minotaur, 1p.
Mull: Ein Film von Harold Marx Optical Disk, 2005
Film made by Circus Kaos. Duration 40 minutes.
New Year's Day 2001 Pictures Optical Disk, 1 January 2001
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
New Year's Day 2004 Optical Disk, 1 January 2004
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
New Year's Day Parade London Photograph Album, c1990 -2008
Untitled photograph album, containing colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown stilt walking in a parade in Central London, possibly the New Year's Day Parade in London.
New Year's Day Parade London Photograph Album, 1 January 2000
Photograph album titled, 'New Year's Day Parade London 2000'. Includes colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown preparing and then performing in Alice in Wonderland themed costumes on stilts and unicycles in the New Year's Day Parade in London.
New Year's Parade Photographs, c1990 - 2008
Includes photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, taking part in the Mayor of London's New Year's Parade.
New York 1 DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
New York DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
New York Macy's Parade DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
New York Photographs, c2000 - 2001
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown sightseeing and at leisure, practicing their circus skills (stilt walking and unicycling), a street performance and also taking part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade during a trip to New York, United States of America.
Newsletter Optical Disk, c1990 - 2015
Found in an envelope labelled 'Newsletter'.