Upswing

Since its inception, Upswing has developed a substantial reputation in the world of circus and aerial theatre. It has gained a foothold in touring networks, festivals, events and the commercial sector with its unique combination of highly physical work that profiled Vicki Amedume’s cultural perspective with her interest in narrative, story and journey. Word of the company’s expertise and professionalism has spread to the worlds of traditional theatre and musical productions where our consultancy services are regularly thought after.

Upswing came into life in 2004 when Vicki Amedume founded the company to expand her solo work as an aerialist and choreographer. She yearned to explore the potential of circus to tell stories relevant to our society and develop her directorial skills, working with other practitioners and make work that had a broader cultural resonance.

We stimulate new thinking in Circus and challenge cultural assumptions by literally turning the world upside down, using the poetic potency of physical skill combined with risk to give a voice to ideas that words alone can’t.

An experimental company by nature, Upswing utilises physicality to explore themes of place, identity and our relationships with each other. We translate ideas using a circus language fused with text, dance and multimedia to create unique multidisciplinary work.

We develop our work through a process of participatory research periods, experimentation and playful encounters with our audiences and creative accomplices.

Our work is inspired by universal questions and contemporary issues and driven by our ethos of respect, inclusion and innovation.

Our productions tour in traditional theatres, in the street and sometimes on top of famous monuments.We use circus and particularly aerial to tell stories of our modern culture with and for people from all walks of life.

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