Circus, Circus, Circus

Why not? Let’s join the circus!

From being involved with trampolining, I began to love watching a variety of acrobatics and I absolutely idolised Cirque Du Soleil. At the international trampolining competitions talent scouts were always present and I was looking out for them... and trying to get their attention.... I do enjoy the spotlight may I add..... 
I have submitted a show reel to Cirque.... however, nothing came of it, as I was too young or didn't have the specific skills as required ...a little sad but I had to ensure that didn't demotivate me. 

For my 15^th Birthday, my mum gave me a voucher  to take a friend with me and attend a "Circus Blast" at one of the Circus’s in Glasgow- Spinal Chord. She thought it would be a fun experience to go along and "give us a laugh". I went along with one of my school friends and I absolutely loved it.... but wow I had no upper body strength.... NOW ... I found this was my new passion....Performing and creating routines to music, learning new skills, creating costumes and making new friends- who are pretty amazing!!               #BestNightsOutEver..

I have been training for the past 6 years (and yes I did begin when I was near the end of my trampolining career) during this time I took part in a variety of shows and performed a variety of characters. It wasn't easy, but I was willing to train hard and listen to my teacher Rodolfo, to become the best I could be at this and I had transferable skills from the trampolining. This was it ... I was changing from always wanting to win... to actually enjoying training for shows and expressing myself through creativity using my skills on the different equipment. I started to specialise on the Single point Trapeze, Spanish web,  the Hoop, The Red rope, and Silks. HAPPY LOUISE.. ...

I performed my first show at age 16 in Cotters Glasgow. The theme was Day of the Dead- Mexican Festival and I performed on the Trapeze (Trapeze was my favourite.. ). I was so nervous however I created a jazzy lace costume with skull candy make up! it looked amazing!! Since it was my first show, my mum helped me out by asking the Make Up Artists students to do some make up for the performers. It was so exciting. Everyone loved it and we looked AMAZING - Thanks Mum for organising the students from South Lanarkshire College...
When selecting music, most people would try and find something contemporary and artistic... I just picked my favourite songs that had a good beat was fun and yes run in line with the theme! my first ever show I performed too Rhianna- Disturbia! and I loved it! I walked out on stage ready to perform... and stood centre stage ready to begin my little acrobatic dance routine before jumping up to the Trapeze and ...... silence..... music glitch! ....spotlight on me with ZERO music ahhhhhhh!! I got shouted back and waited for the sound to be fixed. At this point I  had to laugh it off, then I went back out there... to a big cheer from the audience and completed my act. I was so proud of myself and enjoyed every second... Dramatic first show. 

Over the years I have performed in a variety of venues: Cotters, Merchant Square, O2 ABC, BaAD, Metropolitian, Mango, The Buff club,  Govanhill Baths, The Festival of Light in the Museum Irvine High Street and many more. I have also portrayed a vast amount of characters from dogs... to witches...to robots... to fishermen to....... Tweedles... a large mixture of characters and all great fun !!. 

My favourites shows, WELL FIRSTLY.......
I performed in O2 ABC Glasgow, this was a Masked show- one of the professional shows hosted by Spinal Chord. This is where we would train our routines for months  and bring in international artists to perform with us. The show was Alice in Wonderland themed, and Becca and myself played the "Tweedles". I particularly loved this show due to our fun, hilarious, silly and outspoken characters. I performed single point trapeze, which means the bar that can swing about, spin and move in all directions (dynamic trapeze). Becca and myself also performed doubles acrobatics and had many acting parts within the show to create a fun and upbeat atmosphere! I really enjoyed causing Mischief  as a Tweedle.... We loved being Tweedles that much and missed the character that we actually went out for Halloween together dressed as Tweedles!

Secondly, we completed a show in Govanhill Baths.... this was a particularly unique venue, as we were performing within the swimming pool (no water). During this event we were raising money for the baths to be re opened and we used it as an event space. The show was over 2 days with 2 each day and it was brilliant! there was a real story line, as it was an old fashioned "mime act" set in the baths from many years ago that we were reenacting. My character was the "angry man" I found this hilarious and I would purposely be frowning and shouting at the audience- which all my friends found particularly hilarious!!!  it was so much fun! it would also give me and excuse if I was clumsy.. do you know.. that if you run on wet tiles it is Extremely slippy.....WHOOPS 
but it was incredibly fun! I wore grey suit shorts, a stripy black and white top, a white shirt, bow tie braces and a hat to tuck all my hair into! #angrymangoals

Thirdly, in the Buff Cub, Glasgow this is where Spinal Chord hosts their Mezcla shows, this show is for our performers class, where the can show off the material they have been working on. The theme for this particular show was UV! It was super cool! we didn't particularly have characters, Brief ....just to stand out! Therefore, I wore a bright white leotard, white lace socks , gloves and white mohack- with luminous green eye lashes! not that flattering but extremely cool! Rodolfo brought in bright UV lighting for maximum effect and it was pitch lack when we were performing the vibe was funking and creepy!. Everyone looked amazing and I again performed on single point trapeze too Black Eye Peas- meet me half way. Funky, bright and fun plus who doesn't like Black Eye Peas!

Edinburgh Fringe with the gals

While training circus I have made lifelong friends... who I would train and perform with on a regular basis. This built a strong and unbreakable bond as we always support each other and put up with our strops when not gaining a skill. I regularly see my circus gals for "catch ups" which most of the time results in wine and Salsa dancing LOL. We all share the same passion for performing and being the best person you can be. I was truly inspired by my main chickas (yous know who yous are Lisa, Heather, Becca, Lauren A, Lauren J, Ashley, Laura, and Daniel) they all took me under their wing and helped me grow... they always motivated me to try the harder moves again and again or get me to try this combo on the rope or just 1 more straddle pull up! .......GREAT FRIENDS! 

I discovered I loved being involved with these types of events and at age 18, I decided to study Event Management at South Lanarkshire College and then I continued onto University of West of Scotland,
I finally had a vision on what career aspirations..
During my time at college I created a show, it was called "A Night in New York" it was a sell out... with 120 attendees and it was hosted within the Glasgow University Union. I used my contacts of circus to hire specific equipment and performers (my friends) for the event- they were all fantastic. I hired circus performers, a gymnastic team, a dance team, Melody Forrester (my best friend who is an fabulous singer) and Sarah Langlands (Another brilliant singer). Everyone was able to choose their own specific songs, music and costumes as long as it ran within the theme  "New York".  I bought specific decorations to set the classic tone of night. There was a beautiful banquet layout with 2 jugs of cocktail on each table included in ticket price. The stage was magnificent and I created a running order to ensure a variety of acts and desire breaks for raffle tickets and more cocktails. Everyone loved it! WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT plus we made over £1000 for Make A Wish Foundation #Success 

Basically... trying new passions, try something different everyday, something challenging or maybe something you have always thought about ....but never actually done.... you might love it... I mean you may hate it too... but at least you tried it? Don't give up if you don't understand it straight away! You need to believe in yourself and make friends (so you can laugh when you deck it off the Trapeze)

Stay Tuned! so much more to tell you
Chat soon #Madrid #BakeOff #UniLife #NewAdventures 
#LWstories

Link for Spinal Chord Circus Company 
https://www.spinalchord.com/