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:
Various Performance, Workshop and Event Photographs, c1983 - 2008
Includes photographs of various, miscellaneous and unidentified workshops, performances, trips and other events involving children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Very Old Parade Photograph Album, c1996 - 2000
Photograph album titled, 'V. Old Parade', containing colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown in costume, preparing for and then stilt walking during an unidentified parade in Hoxton, East London. The performers appear to be sponsored by ICI and The Salters Company.
Very Old Parade Photograph Album, c1996 - 2000
Photograph album titled, 'V. Old Parade', containing colour photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown in costume, preparing for and then stilt walking during an unidentified parade in Hoxton, East London. The performers shown stilt walking, appear to be sponsored by ICI and The Salters Company.
VHS for Albert & Friends VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
Further information on label: DJ Kat - Albert.
Vicky's [Shots] Optical Disk, c1995 - 2008
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Walt Disney VHS Tape, 1992
Includes note that reads: 'Capital Woman 1992?'.
Watch This Space National Theatre Events Leaflet, August 2003
Printed leaflet advertising free events at the National Theatre. Includes details of a performance of 'The Ring' by Albert & Friends Instant Circus on 1 August 2003. Illustrated with colour photographs, 20pp.
Wireworks DAT Tape, 1987 - 1998
The content of this recording is unknown.
Wood Lane DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Wood Lane Term I DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Wood Lane Term III DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Wookey DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Wookey DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Wookey Hoze PDF Optical Disk, c2000 - 2012
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Words and Pictures Prog 8S Pass the Jam, Jim Final Edit VHS Tape, 1996
Further information on the label: An SFTV Production for BBC Education
Words and Pictures Prog 8S Pass the Jam, Jim Rushes VHS Tape, 1996
Further information on the label: An SFTV Production for BBC Education
Words and Pictures Prog 8S Pass the Jam, Jim Rushes VHS Tape, 1996
Further information on the label: An SFTV Production for BBC Education
Words and Pictures Prog 8S Pass the Jam, Jim Rushes VHS Tape, 1996
Further information on the label: An SFTV Production for BBC Education
Workshop Footage DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Workshop Photographs, c1990 - 2008
Large cache of colour photographs, and some black and white photographs, of children and young people participating in various circus skills and puppet making workshops facilitated by Ian Scott Owens of Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Notably includes photographs of a workshop with SLIYCF (Arab and Israeli Group). Material found together in plastic wallets labelled 'Workshops' and 'Miscellaneous Workshops and Shows'.