Central tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) from Alexandra’s ‘Circus Space’ group will perform a range of aerial skills suspended on circus equipment as a part of Wānaka’s Festival of Colour.

Circus Space director Abigail Rose said it was the first time Alexandra children had done anything like this.

“There are a whole selection of things included; aerial fabric, triple trapeze, aerial cube, aerial hammock and solo trapeze.”

The group range in ages from 11 to 15 years old and they have created all their own choreography for the performances, working hard for this event during term one. 

Abigail said modern circus was nothing like the circus of yesteryear.

“We are not about clowns but focus on contemporary dance, creative aerials....encompassing music, storytelling, co-ordination, physical expression and fun.”

She has tamariki involved who’ve only been learning circus for a year as well as those who’ve been perfecting and learning skills for several years.

The 25 minute long performance is on twice, and made up of smaller three to five minute acts.

Abigail said the biggest thing performing in public led to was “more confidence in themselves.”

“They see that they can do something that not everyone else can do. They change and grow a lot. [As well as] meeting new people and working like a team.”

“I think everything they are doing is extraordinary. It’s the first time this group is doing the triple trapeze.”

Abigail has been to Perth to learn specific skills in it and was excited to see the group bring it to a live performance. 

Abigail Rose performs outside to connect to nature. PHOTO: Supplied

One of Abigail’s performers, Annie Lochaden, described circus as “so much fun it should be illegal” and another great thing about it was its inclusivity as it “encompasses all ages and abilities”. 

Catch Central’ Circus Space during the Wānaka Festival of Colour, free at the lakefront on Sunday March 30, 10am and 1pm.

Abigail is also performing outdoors under lights the following Saturday (April 5) at 8pm and 10pm at Bullock Creek. 

She has created a 10 minute contemporary expressive piece specially for the festival, telling her story through vertical dance in an outdoor setting - a spectacle not to be missed.

Find Circus Space’s group listing on The Central App here

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Read more: Creativity, culture to be celebrated at Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025 (sponsored)

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