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Circus Routes

Circus Routes encompasses a programme of work exploring how circus can meet local need across communities in Bristol.

Programmes in the Heart of Bristol’s Communities

We ensure that our festival programme includes free to access offers with a range of partners from Redcatch Park (2021), Bristol Galleries (2021-24) and Filwood Community Centre (2024).

We work with artists to design bespoke commissions that experiment with what circus performance can be.

Across 2023-24 we hosted residencies, workshops and performances in Filwood and in the Galleries Shopping Centre in the City Centre. You can read about that here

Improving Access to Live Performance

We continue to prioritise routes into contemporary circus for audiences, artists and creative workforces that identify as d/Deaf and disabled. Our 2023 festival programme included 7 shows with BSL Interpretation and 5 shows with live Audio Description. Of our presenting artists 26% identified as d/Deaf and Disabled and 44% as Neurodivergent.

As part of our research for 2025 we are working with Centre for the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing to influence our festival design. Our aim is for it to fit with their goal of creating a Deaf Friendly city by 2025.

If you are interested in finding out more visit Contact Us

For more info on our impact to date please visit Our Impact

  • I learnt I could do so many things // I would love to come here for more fun

    Children Feedback – Tit for Tat Family Workshops 2024

  • Its great to get off screens into real physical skills // Its fun and engaging and energises public spaces // Learning to focus fail and keep going // healthy alternative to screen time //A wonderful activity for children to learn. Superb staff

    Parent Feedback – Tit for Tat Family Workshops 2024

  • Loved it // Perfect spot to reach more people that wouldn’t normally come to this kind of event // I like that it was free and you didn’t have to book tickets. Makes it truly accessible.

    Audience Feedback – PUBLIC 2023

  • Emotional! Joyful! // Mind blowingly impressive, Inspirational and creative

    Audience Feedback – Foley by Collective ConTakt (Filwood)

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News

Circus City Bristol logo

Circus City are excited to announce our involvement as an associate partner in Take Care – the first-ever EU project dedicated to supporting mental health

Case StudyNews

Circus City Bristol logo

In 2023 we began working with Filwood Community Centre on a pilot project, Circus Routes, to explore what a circus programme in Filwood might

Artist DevelopmentNews

Circus City Bristol logo

In November 2023 Handstand Arts awarded our first New Authors Co-commission alongside partners The Lowry, Deda, Jackson’s Lane and Worthing Theatres to Farrell Cox