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:
Photograph Album, c1993 - 1998
Photograph Album, c1994 - 2000
Photograph Album, c1999 - 2001
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of children and young people from Albert and Friends Instant Circus, shown performing at Macy's Parade in New York, a performance at St. Paul's Church, London(?) a residential trip to Australia, possibly during the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and a circus skills workshop at a fair facilitated by Ian Scott Owens.
Photograph Album 1 of 3, c1990 - 2004
Photograph album, containing colour photographs, of young people and children in costume practicing circus skills and then on performing onstage, juggling, stilt walking and unicycling following their training with Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Photograph Album 2 of 3, c1990 - 2004
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of children and young people taking part in workshops with Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Photograph Album 3 of 3, c1990 - 2004
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of young people and children during a residential trip abroad with Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Photograph Album (Loose Pages), c1995 - 2000
Loose pages from a photograph album, including photographs and newspaper cuttings, relating to trips and performances by the young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Notably features photographs and articles on trips to Paris, Adelaide, New York and Slovenia. Cover missing and pages loose.
Photographic Negatives, c1985 - 2008
Photographic negatives of various, mainly unidentified performances, shows, parades, workshops and other events involving children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Notably includes photographic negatives of early performances of Albert the Idiot.
Photographs, 1983 - 2008
Includes photograph albums, photographs, photographic negatives and slides of shows, performances, parades, rehearsals, workshops, events and trips, involving children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Photo's Amy Optical Disk, c1995 - 2008
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Posters, c1983 - 2008
Includes posters advertising performances by Albert the Idiot and Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Promo So Far 1 Optical Disk, c2000 - 2012
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Publicity Photographs, c1990 - 2008
Colour photographs, and some black and white photographs, and contact prints, of children and young people performing circus skills and in costume, thought to be taken to publicise the work of Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Material found in a plastic wallet labelled 'Publicity'.
Rat-A-Tat-Tat IV Zippos Shoot Tape 001 VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Rat-A-Tat-Tat IV Zippos Shoot Tape 002 VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Renato Fogagnolo So Stupid! Optical Disk, c2000 - 2012
Includes business card for Renato Fogagnolo.
Richmond 1/2 Term at Power Station DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Rokjenor 2nd Feb DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Sands End DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Sending Sylt 28.7.98 VHS Tape, 28 July 1998
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.