Reaching new heights with Lavrak

The first and last time I went to a traditional circus was a sad affair. The ringmaster, in songful acquiescence, took to the stage to kick things off with the worst rendition of Mambo Number 5 that has ever happened upon this planet. Each moment visibly reinforced his reluctance to be there; his voice quivering through the list of Lou Bega’s favourite women as he questioned how this life came to be. “Is this what I want?” he seemed to be thinking as he sand through a list of ladies, each sweeter than the last. “A little bit of Rita is all I need,” he whimpered, truthfully – a poignant reminder of the loneliness of life on the road.

Amy Nicholls, co-director of contemporary circus company Lavrak, doesn’t share this unwarranted cynicism of what is undoubtedly a skilful art. As Amy only became involved with circus during her first year at university in 2014, she’s also part of the first generation of performers who are unfamiliar with the traditional circus environment.

“Due to the age I got into circus and how far it had come at that time, it’s quite unique that I’ve never really had any experience of traditional circus,” she says. “I almost feel like I can’t really speak for it! Traditional circus is a really cool thing and I think it still has its place but it’s very different – it happens in a different environment, it attracts a different audience.”

Contemporary circus retains elements of traditional circus, whilst adding a theatrical twist     Performer: Suzy Pegler  Photo: Jessica Horner

Contemporary circus has flourished over the past couple of decades and with it comes a delightful cocktail of dance, theatre and art, retaining the commendable aspects of traditional circus like dangerous and demanding aerial stunts, whilst ditching the elephants and water-squirting flowers.

Lavrak are a female-led company founded by Amy and co-director Nicole Pretlove. Working alongside them is frequent collaborator and artistic director of several shows, Lucinda Zimmer. Amy and Nicole initially trained at Falmouth University as dancers, but after Nicole went to Madrid to study circus, they began to discover a whole new world of opportunity.

“I saw Bassline Circus at Boomtown Festival in 2013 and was mesmerised,” says Nicole. “I then got a scholarship to train that winter at Escuela de Circo Carampa, and in 2014 I came back to Falmouth where Amy and I would spend every week dangling from the ceiling in a glorified shed!”

Amy Nicholls (left) will bring new children’s show Reach to Circomedia on 29th July  Photo: Jack Matthews

“For us, contemporary circus happened as a fluid transition from dance. It’s linked to what we do but was another avenue to go down,” says Amy. “We started off as an acrobatics duo, so it was just the two of us. The first show we did we employed a dancer to perform alongside and then we just kept growing.”

Now based in Bristol, the pair draw from pools of artists all around the UK when producing shows. And, as one of the country’s artistic hotspots, Bristol is an ideal base for Lavrak to produce from.

“There is a big circus scene in Bristol and such a good support network. It’s really useful for us to have the support of other artists, whether that’s mentoring or sponsorship. There are so many performers to choose from and audiences are brilliant!” says Amy.

The team run aerial classes every Tuesday and Thursday in St. Phillips.     Performer: Jude Whitburn Photo: Noora Mänty

The current focus for the team is Reach, an interactive story for adventure seekers told through circus, dance and music, which debuts on Sunday, July 29 at Circomedia in St Paul’s Church. “The live musician who is joining us it writing the score which will reflect his unique sound,” Amy says. “The style of dance is influenced by one of our performers. It’s not a show where you could replace anyone or swap them out.”

Reach is based around the format of a storybook, written by Amy about two siblings attempting to reach a jar of cookies atop a massive Welsh dresser. The story is all too relatable. “We wanted it to be a visual version of a storybook in terms of the rhythm and the imagery that provides,” Amy says of the unusual format.

The underlying message is about problem solving, optimism and teamwork. This links with the message running throughout in the workshops alongside the show, for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have otherwise had access to circus training. “We think about the language we use with the children, getting them to think for themselves and problem solve. If they get stuck in an aerial position, rather than just help we’ll ask, ‘how do you think you can get out of it?’,” explains Amy.

The children from the workshops will be doing a ‘curtain raiser’ for ten minutes before the professional show begins, which they’ll get to watch for free with their families.

Lavrak’s Burlesque shows promote a positive body image for all shapes and sizes.   Performer: Ollie Jibb  Photo: Adam Gasson

The Lavrak ethos is to involve as many people in circus who would not otherwise get the opportunity. In doing that, they’ve worked with an array of people; from workshops with elderly people in care homes to burlesque shows which aim to project a positive body image.

“We work with performers from different backgrounds, making shows as diverse as possible, some. Performers are all shapes and sizes, male and female,” Amy says. “It’s a celebration of the human body.”

Reach by Lavrak takes place on Sunday, July 29at Circomedia in St Paul’s. Find out more at www.bristol247.com/whats-on/theatre/circomedia/lavrak-circus-reach. Lavrak also run circus skills, aerial skills and aerial hoop classes in a supportive and friendly environment.