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:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photograph Album 3 of 3, c1999 - 2002
Photograph album, containing colour photographs of young people and children of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, shown in costume, acting and performing circus skills on stage, possibly in Edinburgh(?).
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photographic Negatives, 1996
Colour photographic negatives, of children taking part in rehearsals with Albert & Friends Instant Circus and also a street performance of stilt walkers in Edinburgh. Photographs found in a wallet labelled as follows: 'Edin 1996'.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photographs, c1995 - 2008
Includes photographs of children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photographs, c2000 - 2005
Colour photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, performing in a show titled, 'An Inn In the Kingdom', shown in Tudor style costumes, in a park in Edinburgh, presumably as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Items found in a photograph wallet labelled, 'Edinburgh'.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photographs, c2000 - 2005
Colour photographs of children and young people of Albert & Friends Instant Circus, performing circus skills in a park in Edinburgh, presumably as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Items found in a photograph wallet labelled, 'Edinburgh'.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photographs, c2000 - 2008
Large cache of loose colour photographs of various trips to and performances in Edinburgh undertaken by Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Young people and children are shown in costume, performing circus skills outside buildings, on the street and at the park, possibly as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Edinburgh Le Fevre '07 Optical Disk, 2007
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Education Project DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Edward Woods DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Edward Woods DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Edward Woods Term III DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Estonia DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Event Photographs, c1990 - 2008
Colour photographs of various, mainly unidentified, events involving children and young people from Albert & Friends Instant Circus. Notably includes photographs of the Greater London Unicycle Olympics. Items found in a plastic wallet labelled, 'Events'.
ExPLus Positive Activities for Young People Optical Disk, 2006
Press menu to select title or play to play all.
Family Affairs A&FIC VHS Tape, c1985 - 2000
VHS tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Feb Half Term 1 DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Feb Half Term (2) DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Fest Day I DV Cassette Tape, c1995 - 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Festival 08 Intro DV Cassette Tape, 2008
DV cassette tapes relating to Albert & Friends Instant Circus.
Festival Optical Disk, c2000 - 2012
Optical disks, containing correspondence, administrative papers, newsletters, photographs and films, created by Albert & Friends Instant Circus.