My Bristol Favourites: Company Downside Up

Company Downside Up are circus troupe made up of students in their third year of Circomedia’s BA circus and physical theatre degree course.

The group train at Kingswood Estate, owned by charity Creative Youth Network, and, on the one-year course, develop the skills needed to graduate as a skilled performer and creator, ready to embark on a professional circus career.

In summer, Company Downside Up are touring their latest circus show, Dodecagon, in Bristol, in Circomedia on Portland Square, London, Sheffield and Stockton-on-Tees.

“This unique and thrilling performance takes you on a journey through a whimsical world filled with acrobatics and aerial circus, where balance is key and community is everything,” the group said. “Our custom-built rig serves as the centre piece of this performance, where pathways and possibilities intersect one angle at a time.”

These are Company Downside Up’s top-five Bristol favourites:

The Rose & Crown

The Rose & Crown was recently taken on by Christopher Williams, the former manager of the White Horse in Hambrook, and Ben Dossett – photo: Betty Woolerton

“After training we let off some steam in our local pub on Two Mile Hill Road. We love to sit by the fire and play card games.”

Oldbury Court Estate

During the reign of Henry VIII a monk, fleeing from persecution is said to have found sanctuary hiding in a cave in Oldbury Court Estate. He later became trapped in the cave and died. His ghost is rumoured to haunt the grounds to this day. pic.twitter.com/DsnTZrJUvG

— Weird Bristol (@WeirdBristol) October 31, 2022

“This is somewhere we love to hang out on sunny days. It is a great area to train acro and juggling whilst getting a bit of vitamin D.”

Circomedia

“Of course Circomedia is one of our favourite places! This is where we train and we love to perform in the church on Portland Square in St Paul’s.”

Magpie Bottom

Magpie Bottom is a nature reserve in Hanham by Byrants Hill – photo: Betty Woolerton

“In our conditioning classes, we always had a half an hour run. We got the option to either run round the old school buildings in Kingswood or run at Magpie Bottom. We always chose Magpie Bottom!”

White Elephant Cafe

The White Elephant is “a traditional English Cafe with a Thai twist” – photo: Betty Woolerton

“As a company we have most breakfasts, most lunches and most dinners at the White Elephant in Kingsdown. If we can’t find a company member, the first place we look is in this cafe!”

For tickets to see Dodecagon, visit www.companydownsideup.co.uk/tour-dates

Main photo: Company Downside Up

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