AN ANNUAL PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES AND SHOWS WITH NEW VIC THEATRE
Our partnership with the New Vic has been going strong for over 14 years. We first collaborated in 2009 on Bryony Lavery’s The Wicked Lady, and went on to create Astley’s Astounding Adventures together, as well as other projects.
Based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the New Vic Theatre sits at the heart of the town where modern day circus was invented, by Philip Astley.
Our connection with the New Vic has grown from a desire to find creative ways to push the boundaries of circus and theatre. We created this new programme of work together, to allow us to tell even more new stories in bold, ambitious and extraordinary ways.
2025 programme: Circus Throwdown
Before SHOWDOWN takes over the New Vic Theatre this May, Circus Throwdown brings you a taste of the competition in Stoke-on-Trent.
Three skilled performers compete for a chance to advance to the Showdown finals. Our mischievous host will guide contestants through high-energy challenges as they display their circus talents and vie for your approval. After each show, audiences are invited to step into the competitors’ shoes with our free 45-minute acrobatics workshops.
All show timings are totally free and open for all to attend. If you’d like to come to a workshop please sign up for a free ticket just so we can organise ourselves!
Saturday, May 3rd
The Potteries Shopping Centre, 1 Quadrant Rd, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1PP
Show: 11:30am | Workshop: 12:00pm
Show: 2:00pm | Workshop: 2:30pm
Sunday, May 4th
The Ballroom, Fenton Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 3FA
Show: 11.30am | Workshop: 12pm
Show: 2pm | Workshop: 2.30pm
Monday, May 5th
Betty Rushton Community Gardens, Hadleigh Road Abbey Hulton ST2 8JW
Show: 3:00pm | Workshop: 3:30pm
All shows are open to all to attend. All workshops are free, family-friendly and suitable for young people up to the age of 18 (min age 7). Book one ticket per young person. Limited spots available! Circus Throwdown is the Community Tour, part of the New Vic Theatre and Upswing’s Circus Theatre Partnership. The sister show, SHOWDOWN will tour to the New Vic from the 8-10 May.
2023 & 2024 Programme
In 2023 we brought Astley’s Astounding Adventures back to life. Upswing’s Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume worked with The Artistic Director of the New Vic Theresa Heskins to reinvigorate their bold and colourful tale of the founding father of circus. They also collaborated to bring The Princess and the Pea – a modern rendition of a classic fairytale to the Unicorn’s stage in London and The New Victory’s stage in New York in 2024.
Alongside this, our free, immersive outdoor circus event Circus Flavours toured public spaces in Newscastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent throughout summer 23-24
Our Circus Flavours artists also ran two circus skills summer schools, focusing on providing activities and opportunities to community members and young people in care.
This programme of work is made possible as part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding
