Who is Circa?

Well soon you may need to add another ‘C’ to that list. Circus. Especially if Circa continues to enjoy their impressive rise.

Based in Brisbane, Circa is one of the world’s leading performance companies, renowned for combining sensational circus skills with movement, dance and theatre to present remarkably moving shows.

And they’re no strangers to the Southbank Centre either, following on from performances of Humans 2.0 in 2023, Duck Pond in 2024 and an appearance at Multitudes in 2025, they return once again this April, partnering with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for a special interpretation of Bach’s The Art of Fugue.

But where did Circa come from? And what are they about? Here’s a little more about the company who are, to quote The Age, ‘redrawing the limits to which circus can aspire’.

They began in 1987 in Queensland, Australia

Although their roots go back to 1986. That was when Street Arts Community Theatre commissioned a circus-themed production called The Rock & Roll Circus to be performed at Brisbane’s Rialto Theatre. When that project ended, a core group of the performers decided to continue working together exclusively performing circus skills, and in 1987 they launched this new collective, under the name Rock & Roll Circus.

Much of their early work contained a serious message

Following the mantra of delivering ‘high energy physical theatre for thrill-starved audiences’, Rock & Roll Circus established a strong reputation over the next decade. Still operating as a collective many of their productions in the late 1980s and early 1990s centred on contemporary political issues, including topics such as disenfranchisement, youth detention and AIDS education.

They became Circa in 2004

In 1999 the company appointed their first Artistic Director, Yaron Lifschitz, who has continued in that position ever since. As well as adjustments to the company’s repertoire, and a move to a more commercial multi-show approach, one of the most significant changes taken under Lifschitz was that of their name. In 2004, seeking a name ‘that better reflected the depth, passion and integrity of [their] work’, Rock & Roll Circus became Circa.

As Circa they’ve gone from strength to strength

Under Lifschitz’ guidance Circa have continued to ask ‘what is possible in circus?’ earning international acclaim as they’ve premiered more than 30 works globally to a combined audience of over two million. They’ve also become no strangers to an award or three, including six Helpmann Awards, including the Helpmann Award for Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production, which they’ve claimed three times, for CIRCA in 2012, S in 2013, and most recently for Il Ritorno in 2016.

They’ve performed in over 45 countries

In the last two decades Circa have taken their skills around the world, becoming a regular fixture at cultural venues in New York, Berlin and Montreal, and enjoying seasons at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Les Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon, Chamäleon Theater in Berlin as well as major Australian Festivals. And they’re no strangers to London either performing at some place called the Barbican, whatever that is, as well as here on our own stages, having given the London premiere of their show Humans 2.0 in our Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2023.

And they’ve flown the flag international for Australia domestically too

In 2018, Circa were chosen as the Creative Lead for the arts and cultural programme that accompanied the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Lifschitz and Kate Fell co-curated a 12-day multi-arts programme to run alongside the athletic endeavours, that involved over 1,440 artists from 50 countries. Among the arts and cultural experiences they produced for venues along the Gold Coast were music, theatre, circus (naturally), dance, visual arts and film.

They’re committed to bringing through the next generation of circus artists

In 2023 Circa took a step to secure their own future and that of their medium by launching Circa Academy. With the aim of making circus available to everyone, they are now offering training programmes for the next generation of budding circus performers from their studios in Brisbane.

Not all their performers are from down under

Among Circa’s ensemble are a number of performers whose route to flinging themselves about a stage began outside Australia. Rowan Allison hails from Canada, Malte Gerhardt from Germany, while Helga Ehrenbusch represented her native Estonia internationally in gymnastics. They also have two Brits in their ranks; Sam Letch from the north west of England whose route into Circa began with parkour as a teenager. And Luke Pearce from Nottinghamshire, who competed at the Junior European Championships as a gymnast in 2012, and joined Circa just this year.

They’ve dared to reimagine a ballet classic

Stunts. Sequins. Flippers. Feathers. You’ll find all of these in Duck Pond, Circa’s latest show to come to the capital, and their own distinct take on Swan Lake. Typical of any great Circa performance the show combines the incredible stunts and aerials of their soaring skills with a romantic ballet and a touch of comedy. It may not be what Tchaikovsky had in mind, but it’s as sympathetic as it is spectacular and proved a real hit here at the Southbank Centre in December 2024.