What's On at Circomedia in Spring 2024

Read More

Join us this March for our first ever Circomedia Spring Gala!

Presented as part of our 30th Anniversary celebrationsprepare for a dazzling evening of entertainment as we raise funds to support our life-affirming circus programmes for children, young people, communities and circus artists. 

Expect stunning aerial artistry, awe-inspiring juggling, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and appearances from special guests from across the creative industry. 

As part of this fundraising event, we will be holding an auction throughout the evening, featuring a range of exceptional auction prizes that may see you brushing shoulders with the stars or even learning new circus skills with the biggest names in the business. Find out more and book your tickets.

Spring Gala image - St Paul's Church and Circus Slihouettes

Circomedia Academy for Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre

Founded in 1986, Circomedia is a world-renowned centre for contemporary circus and physical theatre training in the UK. We believe in promoting circus in Bristol and beyond.

Our BTEC, Degree, and MA courses combine high-calibre skills tuition and body training with the development of creative thinking, presentational flair and business know-how. As a result, our graduates develop into accomplished creative artists that challenge the perceptions of circus and physical performance.

We curate a fascinating and innovative performance programme from our venue in the heart of Bristol. In the grand Georgian surroundings of St Paul’s Church, you can discover some of the most exciting circus, physical theatre, and dance companies from the UK and beyond.

Our adult classes cover a range of aerial and acrobatic disciplines and are designed to cater to all levels. We are home to one of the largest Youth Circus in the UK with over 300 students.

What do our students think of our courses?

Our National Student Survey results are in and you can now see what our students think about our teaching and how we compare to other university courses.

Find out more

Introducing Our Academy

If you want to study circus with physical theatre and develop as a new kind of performer, then look no further than Circomedia. Our Circus Academy offers a range of full-time courses delivered in partnership with City of Bristol College and Bath Spa University. We are proudly based in the vibrant city of Bristol, famous for its thriving performance industry and links to the wider circus and theatre community.

Find out more

Adult Classes

From complete beginners taking their first tentative steps into aerial, to those of you who long ago mastered the ropes, our excellent teachers will help you discover and develop a passion for circus skills.

Why not use our new classes menu page to explore all of our classes and search by discipline, level, venue, and day of the week.

See all of our classes

Summer Circus Intensive

Embark on a transformative journey of circus exploration and innovation with this unique and unparalleled opportunity!

Join Dr. Jonathan Priest, the visionary course leader of Circomedia’s Masters Program in Directing Circus, for an intensive week of circus training and creative workshops with an aerial focus. Find out more about the Intensive here.

This course is hosted by Circomedia’s MA in Directing Circus and features approaches to making work not available on other programs.

Our Masters program is the only one of its kind in Europe and will enable you to enrich your circus toolbox. This intensive week is for performers of circus who wish to develop the form and content of their work.

Hire Our Venue

Our dramatic Georgian church in the centre of Bristol offers a beautiful venue for your wedding, Christmas party, conference, or another special occasion. With a full theatre grade lighting rig, professional sound and tech support, and access to a huge range of world-class circus entertainment, there really is no one who can do it quite like us…

Find out more

Placeholder Image

Youth Circus

Circomedia Youth Circus is one of the biggest in the UK with over 300 students. It offers children aged 2 – 18 the chance to enter the extraordinary world of contemporary circus and physical theatre through weekly classes and a series of circus camps held throughout the year. Our groups cater to all different ages and abilities and you don’t have to have previous experience!

Led by our professional circus tutors, our after-school sessions offer a varied programme of acrobatics, aerial skills, manipulation and equilibristics, and performance skills. Children will try everything from diabolo to trapeze over the course of the year,  and develop their coordination, build physical and mental resilience and make friends in a relaxed, creative environment.