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:
Albert & Friends: Instant Circus Promo for STV VHS Tape, 27 June 1995
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Albert & Friends Instant Circus Schools Project Handmade Poster, c1990 - 2010
Handmade poster, advertising a schools project facilitated by Albert & Friends Instant Circus held as part of the International Youth Circus Festival. This poster is thought to have been drawn by one of the children participating in the schools project. Includes pencil and colour text and colourful sketches of a circus tent, children performing circus skills and birds of paradise, 1p.
Albert & Friends Instant Circus Schools Project Handmade Poster, c1990 - 2010
Handmade poster, advertising a schools project facilitated by Albert & Friends Instant Circus held as part of the International Youth Circus Festival. This poster is thought to have been drawn by one of the children participating in the schools project. Pencil and ink text and sketch of a circus tent and a girl juggling, 1p.
Albert & Friends Instant Circus VHS Tapes, 1985 - 2003
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Albert & Friends New Horizons Optical Disk, 2007
Winter 2007.
Albert & Friends Scottish TV Advert VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Albert & Friends Tape 2 VHS Tape, 15 July 1991
Film made by Complete Video. Client: JWT.
Albert & Friends - The D.J. Kat Show VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
Circus workshop filmed by Sky at Riverside Studios for DJ Kat Show.
Albert Goes to Riverdale October 1985 VHS Tape, October 1985
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Albert the Idiot: Clown Extraordinaire Handbill, c1983 - 1985
Printed leaflet titled, ‘Albert the Idiot: Clown Extraordinaire’ describing outdoor performances, workshops and educational programme offered by Albert the Clown (circa. 1983-1985). Colour leaflet, illustrated with photographs of Albert the Clown, workshops and performances by Albert & Friends Instant Circus, 4pp.
Albert the Idiot Performance Photographs, c1983 - 2008
Colour photographs of performances by Ian Scott Owens as Albert the Idiot, with his car Henrietta, and workshops with children facilitated by Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Accompanied by photographs of the car he performed with called, Henrietta.
Albert the Idiot Photographs, c1983 - 2008
Includes photographs of Ian Scott Owens, performing as Albert the Idiot, and delivering circus skills workshops for young people and children from Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Albert the Idiot VHS Tape, 20 October 1987
Film made by The Moving Picture Company Limited.
Albert the Idiot Workshop Photographs, c1985 - 1995
Colour photographs of Ian Scott Owens, shown performing and facilitating circus skills workshops with children, dressed as Albert the Idiot.
Albert the Idiots: 'Hounslow' Rushes VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
Further information on label: C/o Alistair Fryer JWT.
Albert VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
Includes note that reads: 'The King'.
Albert's Instant Circus Summer '93 VHS Tape, 1993
Further information on tape cover: The King A&FIC 1992.
Arlekin Kas Toji Meile? R&J 2010 Optical Disk, 2010
Email Tatjanatim@yahoo.com.
Arts Council Seminar Photographs, 2008
Includes photographs of an Arts Council seminar attended by representative from Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
ATOQ LT 2012 Optical Disk, 2012
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.