This workshop, organised by No Magic artists Julie Bergez and Elise Reine, focuses on delving into the artistic essence of each participant with delicacy, and humour. They will attempt to provoke heightened states of being, far from the self concept and ego. Not as a mystical experience but in order to reach raw material and a glowing presence. Raw as chicken, glowing as salmonella.

With the help of theatre and stage presence exercises, they share tools in order to distort each artists’ circus technique to serve the scene. They hope you will go home with a fresh perspective of the endless possibilities of the circus performance.

Come as you are, as you were, as you want to be

About the Artists:

ELISE BJERKELUND REINE (NOR)
Elise Bjerkelund Reine is a circus performer and performance creator based in Copenhagen. She works with experimental and political circus to push boundaries and norms, aiming to evoke and provoke emotions through taking performative risks. She is educated in Denmark (AFUK) and France (CNAC). After 23 years in the trapeze, and as a contortionist in every conceivable position, she uses her equilibrist circus language to explore topics often aimed at an adult audience. In addition to creating her own works and participating in performances, she is the founder and artistic director of Feral Festival.

MY!LAIKA SIDE KUNST https://sidecirque.com

JULIE BERGEZ (USA/FR)
Julie started her formation in the circus arts, specialized in partner contortion and rhythmic gymnastics, at the age of 6 at the San Francisco Circus Center. Years later, after touring with Cirque du Soleil, she moved to Europe where she began her journey as a creator in the experimental circus and performance scene. Along the way she has been formed in dance and theatre at the Michael Chekhov School in Brussels. She is currently based in Toulouse, and works with companies My!Laika and Cirque Pardi. She also teaches artistic and technical research in contortion at Esacto’Lido.

Event Info:

This event was part of Circus City 2025 and took place on Sunday 12th October

Venue: Circomedia – Kingswood

Image Credit: Marie Munkner