An Interview with Circomedia & alumni Cat Boot, Rhiannon Taylor and Charlie Brown
Jul 2026
When Cat Boot graduated from Circomedia in 2013, she already knew she wanted to create work rather than perform in it. More than a decade later, she is Artistic Director of Can’t Sit Still, an award-winning contemporary circus company creating joyful, thought-provoking work for children and family audiences.
Charlie Brown and Rhiannon Taylor graduated eight years later in 2021. Since then, they’ve built careers as performers, working with companies including Above & Beyond and Farm Yard Circus, while continuing to develop their own practice.
Now, their paths have come together for The Sock Show (commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council & part of a wider project called The Summer of Socks), a new outdoor production by Can’t Sit Still. It’s a full-circle moment for the trio, as Cat once taught Charlie and Rhiannon during their time at Circomedia.
Finding a creative voice
Cat arrived at Circomedia with a clear ambition. Having already worked as an actor, she wanted more creative control over the work she was making.
“I was working as an actor before going to Circomedia, and I wanted to have more control over the things that I was being cast in. So, I had this thought that I could learn how to make my own work that I would be in.”
Inspired by Circomedia graduates who had gone on to establish their own companies, she quickly realised her ambitions were evolving.
“Whilst I was there, during those two years, I realised that actually, for me, because I’d already been performing professionally for like nine years at that point, I didn’t really need to be the person on stage anymore. But what I loved was the creativity, being in the rehearsal room, devising.”
After graduating, Cat began experimenting with making work alongside fellow alumni before a significant turning point shaped the future of the company.
“In 2015 I had a baby… that was quite a significant moment of realisation. I have things that I want to say to the world, and I want to make art about it.”
Today, that philosophy continues to shape Can’t Sit Still’s work.
“Some people think our work is just for young audiences and families… but no, our stuff is always political, and it’s very joyful as well. The message of what we’re talking about may not always be immediate, but it is there, and that’s why we’re doing it.”
A full-circle collaboration
For The Sock Show, Cat found herself working alongside two people she knew well, not just as fellow artists, but as former students.
For Cat, watching Charlie and Rhiannon’s careers develop has been one of the most rewarding parts of the collaboration.
“They’re extremely easy to work with. What is great about the three of us is that we share language and vocabulary which comes from our Circomedia training.”
“Having taught them, I knew they were really good students, so seeing their journey from student to where they are now is super impressive for me.”
“They’ve kept on training their skills, reached a much higher level and they’ve just been so easy to collaborate with. It’s been a really enjoyable process.”
The feeling is mutual.
Charlie: “It’s been amazing.”
Rhiannon: “It’s our first time as a duo being directed and being part of the devising and the creation of a show.”
“The way that Cat works and runs her company, the collaboration and our involvement is really thought out.”
“She’s very considerate of everyone’s needs and is always making sure that everyone’s okay and that everyone’s being heard.”
Building a career
Since graduating, Charlie and Rhiannon have embraced the varied nature of a circus career, combining performance opportunities with other professional work across the industry.
Their first opportunity came almost immediately after leaving Circomedia.
Charlie: “Mike Wright, from Above and Beyond, was the first person to hire us.”
“He hired me as a juggler and Rhiannon and Izzy as aerialists to do the Glastonbury Big Top Show… That was pretty insane to be graduating and then going straight into the Glastonbury Big Top.”
That led to one of Rhiannon’s standout memories.
“I remember sitting at the bottom of the king pole watching the first act happen. My eyes filled up and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s real!'”
The pair have continued to build their careers through performance opportunities and specialist roles.
Rhiannon: “We did the audition and got two roles within Farm Yard Circus that we understudied for about three years.”
“I also run the social media for Above and Beyond.”
Charlie: “I do crew work for Cirque Bijou occasionally.”
Their experiences reflect the reality of many circus artists, portfolio careers built from a range of creative opportunities.
Finding a community
One of the biggest surprises for Rhiannon wasn’t the work itself, but the culture of the circus industry.
Coming from a dance background, she noticed a very different atmosphere.
“It feels as though in the dance industry everyone’s got their guard up slightly… But it’s different in the circus world.”
“You might not be able to do a gig, and you would offer it around to your community.”
“It feels supportive. Coming into this haven of lovely people.”
“People want to see you do well. People really care.”
Looking ahead
We asked what advice they would give to today’s Circomedia students, all three emphasised making the most of the opportunities available during training.
Charlie: “Get as much as you can out of it and spend as much time as possible practising. Don’t take it for granted.”
Rhiannon: “Think about the work you want to create!”
Cat believes that the relationships students build are just as important as the skills they develop.
“Think about the impression that you’re leaving. So many of the teachers have professional practice as well, that if you work hard as a student, you’ll get work just through that network of teachers and other professionals that are around you.”
She also encourages graduates not to feel pressure to have everything figured out straight away.
“Don’t be afraid when you first graduate to go and work within companies for a bit.”
“I didn’t start Can’t Sit Still until I was 32, so I wouldn’t have been able to do that when I was 21.”
Show details:
The Sock Show is part of a wider project titled The Summer of Socks, commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council.
If you would like to watch this outdoor production, see these tour dates:
- Saturday 25th July at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Hanham Community Centre, Hanham, South Gloucestershire
- Sunday 26th July at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Hatheralls Yard, Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire
- Saturday 1st August at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Fountain Square, Staple Hill, South Gloucestershire
- Sunday 2nd August at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Kings Chase, outside Timpsons , Kingswood, South Gloucestershire
- Friday 7th August at 11.00am: The Trinity Centre, Old Market, Bristol
- Saturday 8th August at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Outside The Computer Store, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire
- Sunday 9th August at 11.30am & 2.00pm: Yate Shopping Centre, outside the library, Yate, South Gloucestershire
- Wednesday 26th August: Grand Junction, Paddington, London
Inspired by Cat, Rhiannon and Charlie’s journeys?
At Circomedia, we prepare students for a wide range of careers in the contemporary circus industry.
Our BTEC Course is for 16–18 year olds and is equivalent to three A Levels, giving you the UCAS points to progress to university if you choose. Our degree course is for students aged 18+ and is one of only two specialist circus degree programmes in the UK.
Applications are open.