This is the National Centre for Circus Arts, in East London.

It's been running for 25 years, and is housed in an old power station.
Students come from a mix of backgrounds.

For example, some come from a gymnastics background. Whereas others grew up in a circus family. The youngest student is two and half.
The centre has an impressive near-100% record for student employment post-graduation. 93% of all alumni from the National Centre for Circus Arts are still working in the industry three years after graduating. Companies who have employed recent graduates include the Royal Shakespeare Company, NoFit State, Cirque Du Soleil and The Roundhouse.
The centre is open to non-students too.

They put on corporate days or hen nights - for example, an experience day costs £69.
So obviously I had a go at everything.
There is no ideal type of body shape for circus work.

Whether you're small or tall, there are plenty of things for everyone to be good ad. For example, it's useful to be a petite acrobat, but you can be a rigger too.
The trapeze takes a lot out of your arms.


The next morning I was like a T Rex.
The tightrope will not make you look like a ballerina.


And juggling is trickier than it looks.


Some things are best left to the professionals.

