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:
Show Photographs, c1990 - 2008
Large cache of colour photographs of various, mainly unidentified, performances and shows on stage performed by children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Includes performances at St. Paul's Church and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Material found together in plastic wallets labelled 'Shows'.
Singing Bridges Project Photographs, c2000 - 2008
Includes photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown taking part in the Singing Bridges Project.
Singing Bridges Project Photographs, c2000 - 2008
Colour photographs of young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing in the street on stilts and doing stunts with a step ladder in futurist costumes, as part of the Singing Bridges Project.
Slovenia '00 Photographs, 2000
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing in a town square during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia '00 Photographs, 2000
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing in a town square during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia '97 Photographs, 1997
Colour photographs of a street performance in front of a church by members of Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, 2001
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing inside a church crypt during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, August 2001
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown during a nighttime performance and socialising during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, August 2001
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown rehearsing, sightseeing and socialising during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, August 2001
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, August 2001
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, August 2001
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2001 Photographs, [August] 2001
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia 2003 Photographs, January 2003
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia Photograph Album, 2001
Photograph album titled 'Slovenia', containing colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown at a campsite, undertaking workshops, practicing circus skills, creating costumes and props, and then performing to an audience in a square during a trip to Slovenia.
Slovenia Photographs, c1995 - 2003
Includes photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus performing during trips to Slovenia.
Slovenia Photographs, c1997 - 2001
Colour photographs, with negatives, showing members of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, performing on stage in Slovenia.
Slovenia Photographs, c1997 - 2001
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing in a town square during a trip to Slovenia.
St. Paul's Church Performance Photograph Album, c1985 - 1995
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of circus skills workshop with young children delivered by Albert & Friends Instant Circus, as well as a costume and puppet making workshop, and rehearsals for a performance at St. Paul's Church, London(?) by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
St. Paul's Church Performance Photographs, c1985 - 1995
Includes photographs of workshops and a performance by children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus at St. Paul's Church, London,