JEFF (Dance/Hoop/Clown) Being in Can Do Circus Company has given me a sense of belonging. Working out in the gym is not very sociable particularly when people wear AirPods How has it changed me? Well I’m now much less worried about making a fool of myself in front of people. I’ve spent the last year doing the most ridiculous games and exercises in training so I’m used to it now.

FIONA (Trapeze/Dance/Hoop) Up until my 50s I’d always been scared to try new things. I always thought I wasn’t brave and would back away from the unknown. Even as a child I wouldn’t hang upside down under a bar like kids do. I was scared of failure or looking like a fool and not being good enough. Being part of Can Do Circus Company has made me see that I can do anything! We all have different abilities and should celebrate them. This has given me the boost to get back into cabaret performance. I had lost my motivation but it’s back now.

CAROL (Trapeze/Dance/Hoop) After the loss of my daughter 3 years ago, my world came crashing down. Such a huge loss left me not wanting to be part of a world without my daughter. Circus gave me a way to reconnect with the world, it’s given me a purpose and brought a little bit of sparkle back into my life. It’s rekindled my passion for dressing up and for dance. Now, as well as circus, I am also performing burlesque under the name Talula Demure. I'm going to just go for it and enjoy being alive. Not the most confident person, I have to push myself to step out of my comfort zone as it defies what I was taught to believe in myself for many years - that I was never good enough. Performing is my escape from the reality of life's hard knocks, my happy place. When I stand on the trapeze I feel on top of the world! I say be a kid at heart - because the older you get the more you can get away with.

CLAIRE (Hoop/Dance) I always felt self conscious and judged because I am in a wheelchair and only half of my face moves. Feeling that made me not want to go out or interact with people. I had got to a point in my life where I never even considered trying something new and just said no. Circus has completely changed all that. Now I have found in myself a sense of self worth which I thought I had lost for ever. Circus has given me wonderful friends. I no longer feel different but part of a team. Although I am quite restricted at what I can do and my conditions make a lot of things impossible, I get excited about trying new things, feeling proud if I can do it and laughing if I can’t. I never in a million years would have guessed I would be good at hooping. That was a true surprise. Life definitely doesn’t stop at fifty, it is only the beginning. I have now realised that if you don’t give it a try you will never know if you can or can’t do it. This experience has meant the world to me and I am truly addicted to hooping. Maybe one day I could teach other wheelchair users to hoop too. I can’t wait to see what is next for me!

SUZINA (Rope/Hoop) I’m not a natural performer - I have never performed in front of people EVER. I’m not comfortable being in the spotlight. But I’m proud of gradually overcoming my absolute fear of performing This year was my time to find things that would take me out of my comfort zone and challenge me. Can Do Circus Company gave me that opportunity. I'm now living my best life through circus, and can see a more confident me! And I love this group of fun loving, talented over 50s! So fun, friendly and determined. There is always encouragement when you are struggling and friendship and kind words when they are needed. You are NEVER too old to take on a challenge or to push yourself. You just have to find something that fires you up. I hope that this show is the first of many creative and physical things I do. Watch this space.....

CHRIS (Rope/Hoop/Dance) I've performed most of my life, as a pianist or in theatrical productions. As I get older though, I do wonder - can I still? Who would want to see me? You get used to being more 'invisible' and sometimes there is a struggle to put your head above the parapet again. Before Covid hit, I ran 3 days a week, went to gym 3 days a week - ran marathons. Then it all went. I thought that was it - my time for that was done, I lost it all. With Can Do Circus Co, I'm coming back, bits of me are coming back piece by piece. I'm older, but I'm still me. We all care about each other, we all help each other and support each other. We go to the pub, for coffee, for a meal, share messages, talk about music, invite each other to shows, invite each other to be in shows. And the response to us over 50s performers from the wider community, from the world, from social media! It’s overwhelming, truly life affirming.

BOB (Clown/Dance) I'm not a performer. I'm not comfortable being on stage. ...Or so I have thought all my life. Circus has made me think about who I am. And it turns out I AM a performer! The encouragement of the group has brought out something I never imagined was in me. And has built my confidence and strength.

KEISHA (medical alert service dog) I am a 7 year old Pomeranian and a medical alert service dog. My human Claire has lots of medical conditions and I have been trained to help her. Claire has had 118 strokes so far. I can smell the chemical change in her brain and can warn her that one is coming. This gives her time to make a phone call or to get somewhere safe. It’s an important job. I love going to circus training and to all the rehearsals for the show. I love seeing my human Claire enjoy herself and I am always keeping an eye or a nose on her. I love being part of the Can Do Circus family. Everyone is really nice and I get lots of chicken flavoured treats which are my favourite.

NATALIA (Silks/Dance/Hoop) Joining Can Do Circus Company has been an unexpected and empowering journey. I’m not a performer, but here I am in the show! As a child with asthma, I avoided sport and was never naturally athletic. I was always picked last for school teams. In my 30s I found yoga, which helped me build core strength, flexibility and tune into my body. I ran my first ever 5k aged 44, and now, in my 50s, I’ve fallen in love with aerial. I’ve recently joined a choir—so I’m definitely coming to all of this later in life. Training for the show is building my physical strength and my confidence, resilience and camaraderie. This experience has shown me that it’s never too late to try something new—or to surprise yourself.

AMANDA (Doubles Trapeze/Dance) My natural inclination is to be in the background, but this group of wonderful people is so supportive, I've been able to overcome my reticence. I surprised myself that I did all the theatre and performance exercises and didn't hate it! Now I'm really looking forward to performing. I have always been inspired by my mum. She died just 6 weeks before her 100th birthday, and was active her whole life. She played tennis and did exercise classes until she was 98. Mum would have very much approved of me taking on the challenge of performing aerial circus!

ALISON (Trapeze/Hoop/Dance) I've been performing since I was a child so that part isn’t new for me. In my twenties and thirties I gave it up - this is the first performance since then. I’m really enjoying rehearsals and excited for the show. Emma has created a wonderfully nurturing, safe space where we can come as we are and feel accepted. There’s no too big, too much, too weird here! I’m accepted for who I am and on a good or bad day have felt supported by every single member of the group. We all celebrate each other’s achievements and empathise with one another on the not so good days. My fellow performers have been truly inspiring to me. Despite their challenges in physical or mental health, they show up, do the work and defy what’s possible. Each and every one of them is amazing! I’m so grateful and happy to have shared this experience with such a wonderful group of people and I don’t want the experience to end. Oh and, I’ve taken my daughter to a circus camp for many years and this is the first year that I’ve bought a performer’s ticket!

VANESSA (Trapeze/Dance/Hoop) I’ve been doing aerial at Studio Fly for a few years, so I’m not completely new to it, although trapeze is a new discipline for me so it’s really exciting to be performing trapeze in the show. I am thrilled to be part of Can Do Circus Company and support and cheer on fellow oldies in their journey in circus and aerial. The friendships and love between everybody is amazing. Having done lots of amateur dramatics, I have some stage confidence, but I am still not confident in myself generally. I’ve had a bit of a tough year with a divorce, moving home and my children not needing me so much anymore, so having Can Do Circus Compnay to throw myself into has been wonderful. Generation Circus is doing a fantastic job giving opportunities to the older generation. Long may these things last!