Citizen Artists

As part of the making of What am I Worth? we worked with around 150 people from 11 places across the UK and Ireland. We met younger and older people, learning disabled and physically disabled people, people recovering from addiction, refugees and people often dismissed or overlooked in our society by those in power. People who had never met before, took physical risks together. Those who often find themselves on the edges of society took centre stage supporting others. All Circus comes from a social place, a place of community and collective effort. Circus is a great tool for social change.

In this current political climate fear is rife. People are avoiding who and what they don’t know. We believe that we are better people and the world is better for everyone when we come together to learn about each other. We made this show in such a way that people did just that.

“In a room full of circus equipment Derek tries aerial hoop for the first time. He’s good – really good. He moves into upside down formations in silks at some height. Derek is 65 and a recovering alcoholic. He lived with alcoholism for over 40 years and now he’s discovering his talent for aerial work. Across the room is Susan, who two days ago, when asked “What are you worth?” whispered “Nothing really” as she laid down on the floor. Now she writes “I am worth to be loved and to be held while I am here and to be missed when I am gone.”

We invited our Citizen Artists into the show What am I Worth? when we toured 2018.

In 2021 we will welcome new local people to join us, tell their stories and sing alongside us.

Our Journey

Our Journey Melbourne London - Southwark Nottingham Glasgow Carlow Telford Cariff Bristol London National Theatre Weston Super Mare Poole Plymouth

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

18th – 21st April 2017 In partnership with Funky Llama, Extraordinary Bodies held a 4 day Creative Exploration residency at Theatre Royal Plymouth. Participants came from two local community programmes associated with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Funky Llama and Our Space. Funky Llama creates innovative events and provides creative support for adults with disabilities, and Our … Continued

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

18th – 21st April 2017 In partnership with Funky Llama, Extraordinary Bodies held a 4 day Creative Exploration residency at Theatre Royal Plymouth. Participants came from two local community programmes associated with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Funky Llama and Our Space. Funky Llama creates innovative events and provides creative support for adults with disabilities, and Our … Continued

Lighthouse, Poole

10 – 12th April 2017 Extraordinary Bodies held a 3 day Creative Exploration with community participants at Lighthouse Poole from the in partnership with local arts organisation Activate. We worked with a group of 20 young people from Activate’s integrated youth performance company The Remix to play, experiment, share stories and learn circus and performance skills.

Lighthouse, Poole

10 – 12th April 2017 Extraordinary Bodies held a 3 day Creative Exploration with community participants at Lighthouse Poole from the in partnership with local arts organisation Activate. We worked with a group of 20 young people from Activate’s integrated youth performance company The Remix to play, experiment, share stories and learn circus and performance skills.

City Arts, Nottingham

22nd – 24th May 2017 In partnership with City Arts Nottingham we worked with 18 community participants who share an interest in circus and carnival. “City Arts is delighted to have maintained the link with the Extraordinary Bodies team, following our exciting collaboration with them in 2015. We are looking forward to having some focused … Continued

City Arts, Nottingham

22nd – 24th May 2017 In partnership with City Arts Nottingham we worked with 18 community participants who share an interest in circus and carnival. “City Arts is delighted to have maintained the link with the Extraordinary Bodies team, following our exciting collaboration with them in 2015. We are looking forward to having some focused … Continued

Carlow Arts Festival

8th – 10th June 2017 At Carlow Arts Festival will be working with various groups offering workshops in circus skills and theatre, and will be showcasing the work made as part of our Creative Exploration on the Saturday night of the festival.  

Carlow Arts Festival

8th – 10th June 2017 At Carlow Arts Festival will be working with various groups offering workshops in circus skills and theatre, and will be showcasing the work made as part of our Creative Exploration on the Saturday night of the festival.  

Glasgow Merchant City Festival

25th – 28th July 2017 “We’ve made it to Scotland! John Kelly has brought some incredibly technical sound equipment which I don’t understand, and I’ve brought some flipchart paper. This week we’ve been starting to think about narrative for the show. Hattie is giving the participants a crash course in how to structure a really … Continued

Glasgow Merchant City Festival

25th – 28th July 2017 “We’ve made it to Scotland! John Kelly has brought some incredibly technical sound equipment which I don’t understand, and I’ve brought some flipchart paper. This week we’ve been starting to think about narrative for the show. Hattie is giving the participants a crash course in how to structure a really … Continued

Telford and Wrekin Council

From the 21st – 26th August 2017, we worked in partnership with Telford and Wrekin council to bring a Creative Exploration residency to Telford. This took place in the Oakengates Theatre where members of the Extraordinary Bodies company worked with a local integrated group to teach them circus and performance skills, and share ideas around … Continued

Telford and Wrekin Council

From the 21st – 26th August 2017, we worked in partnership with Telford and Wrekin council to bring a Creative Exploration residency to Telford. This took place in the Oakengates Theatre where members of the Extraordinary Bodies company worked with a local integrated group to teach them circus and performance skills, and share ideas around … Continued

National Theatre, London

At the National Theatre, Dergin twirls wildly on his crutches, lifting the weight of his body through his arms until he is fully vertical. Later, we lift him high into the air in his wheelchair on a pulley system. In this room, Circus artists from Germany, Australia and the UK gather to fuse contrasting ideas on … Continued

National Theatre, London

At the National Theatre, Dergin twirls wildly on his crutches, lifting the weight of his body through his arms until he is fully vertical. Later, we lift him high into the air in his wheelchair on a pulley system. In this room, Circus artists from Germany, Australia and the UK gather to fuse contrasting ideas on … Continued

Southwark

13th – 15th September 2017 Working with the Arts & Events team at Southwark council, Extraordinary Bodies returned to Southwark where our show Weighting played to audiences of thousands back in 2015. We will be continuing our work with the Southwark community as they take part in our Creative Exploration residency exploring ideas of value … Continued

Southwark

13th – 15th September 2017 Working with the Arts & Events team at Southwark council, Extraordinary Bodies returned to Southwark where our show Weighting played to audiences of thousands back in 2015. We will be continuing our work with the Southwark community as they take part in our Creative Exploration residency exploring ideas of value … Continued

Hijinx Unity Festival, Cardiff

From November 8th – 10th 2017, Extraordinary Bodies worked with performers from Hijinx Theatre, running workshops for an integrated group of local community members. The workshops took place at the Tabernacle Church Hall in Cardiff as part of Hijinx Unity Festival.

Hijinx Unity Festival, Cardiff

From November 8th – 10th 2017, Extraordinary Bodies worked with performers from Hijinx Theatre, running workshops for an integrated group of local community members. The workshops took place at the Tabernacle Church Hall in Cardiff as part of Hijinx Unity Festival.

Bristol Old Vic

In partnership with Bristol Old Vic, we ran free inclusive workshops in Bristol from 13th – 15th February 2018. Our 10th and final Creative Exploration took place on home turf at Bristol Old Vic, where we worked with a mix of local young integrated theatre groups. For three days we experimented with inclusive approaches to … Continued

Bristol Old Vic

In partnership with Bristol Old Vic, we ran free inclusive workshops in Bristol from 13th – 15th February 2018. Our 10th and final Creative Exploration took place on home turf at Bristol Old Vic, where we worked with a mix of local young integrated theatre groups. For three days we experimented with inclusive approaches to … Continued

Theatre Orchard, Weston-super-Mare

16th – 18th  October 2017 From 16th – 18th October 2017 we worked with the Theatre Orchard to bring a Creative Exploration residency to Weston-super-Mare. The residency took place at The Tropicana Weston venue as part of their Autumn / Winter season.

Theatre Orchard, Weston-super-Mare

16th – 18th  October 2017 From 16th – 18th October 2017 we worked with the Theatre Orchard to bring a Creative Exploration residency to Weston-super-Mare. The residency took place at The Tropicana Weston venue as part of their Autumn / Winter season.

Melbourne

A team of 15 Extraordinary Bodies joined an extraordinary company of artists at Circus Oz in Melbourne for a 7 day Creative Residency in December 2016. Asking ourselves #WhatAmIWorth? as a starting point this was a journey of discovery, experimentation and collaboration, and the first step in our new project, funded through Arts Council England‘s … Continued

Melbourne

A team of 15 Extraordinary Bodies joined an extraordinary company of artists at Circus Oz in Melbourne for a 7 day Creative Residency in December 2016. Asking ourselves #WhatAmIWorth? as a starting point this was a journey of discovery, experimentation and collaboration, and the first step in our new project, funded through Arts Council England‘s … Continued