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:
St. Paul's Church Performance Photographs, c1985 - 1995
Colour photographs of young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown performing circus skills inside a church, thought to be St. Paul's Church, London(?). Items found together in a plastic wallet labelled as follows: 'Miscellaneous Performance'.
Sweden (1) DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Swedish 2nd DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Term III DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Thank You For Making a Difference Cross Stitch, c1990 - 2000
Framed cross stitch depicting Ian Scott Owens, known as 'Albert', dressed in a ring masters costume, and three children called 'Tiggy', 'Ezra' and 'Liam', in a car dressed as clowns, with the words: 'Thank you for making a difference. With special thanks to Trea much love the Atkinson Clan'.
The 1998 Paris Parade Souvenir Video VHS Tape, 1998
Published VHS.
The 1999 Easter in Maastricht Festival VHS Tape, April 1999
Souvenir video produced by the organisers of the Easter in Maastricht Festival. Duration 60 minutes.
The Circus Space Flyer, September 2000
Printed leaflet advertising shows and events at The Circus Space, Coronet Street, London. White background, pink text and illustrated with black and white photographs, 1p.
The Edinburgh Easter Festival VHS Tape, 2003
Published VHS.
The Great London Unicycle Grand Prix Mock Up Poster, c1994 - 1996
Mock up poster advertising, The Great London Unicycle Grand Prix, organised in collaboration with Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Includes red, blue and purple text, and a sketch in pen and water based paint of a unicyclist, 1p.
The King A&FIC 1992 VHS Tape, 1992
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
The New Year's Day Parade and Festival London 2009 Optical Disk, 2009
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
The Nut Cracker Circus Poster, c2000 - 2010
Printed poster advertising a performance titled 'The Nutcracker Circus: It's a Cracker of a Tale' by Albert & Friends Instant Circus at Riverside Studios.
Thunder at Riverside Cove: A Family Show for Christmas Handbill, c1990 - 2005
Printed handbill titled, ‘Thunder at Riverside Cove: A Family Show for Christmas’, advertising a performance by Albert & Friends Instant Circus at Riverside Studios (circa. 1990 – 2005). White background, black and red text and illustrations, 1p.
Thunder at Riverside Cove Photographs, c1990 - 2005
Includes photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, performing in a production titled, 'Thunder at Riverside Cove'.
Thunder at Riverside Cove Photographs, c1990 - 2005
Black and white contact photographs of young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown in costume on stage performing in 'Thunder at Riverside Cove' at Riverside Studios, London.
Thunder at Riverside Cover Poster, c1990 - 2005
Printed poster advertising, 'Thunder at Riverside Cove: A Family Show for Christmas' by Albert & Friends Instant Circus at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith. White background, red and black text, and illustrations of a pirate, ship and treasure chest, 1p.
Tilting at Windmills Handbill, August 1994
Printed leaflet advertising a performance titled, 'Tilting at Windmills' by Albert & Friends Instant Circus at The Pleasance, Edinburgh. Yellow background, black text on the front, and white background, black text on the reverse, 2pp.
Tilting at Windmills Photographs, c1990 - 2005
Includes photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, performing in a production of 'Tilting at Windmills'.
Tilting at Windmills Photographs, c1990 - 2005
Colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus in costume stilt walking, unicycling and clowning on stage in a performance titled, 'Tilting at Windmills'.