Meet the Minds Behind Brighton Fringe’s Most Uplifting Circus Show

Blending high-stakes circus with raw emotion, Nose Dive Assembly brings a fresh twist to Revel Puck’s Circus Yard at Brighton’s Fringe Festival this year. With mind-blowing stunts, unique apparatuses and a cast bursting with trust and chemistry, this contemporary show explores failure, friendship and the power of trying again. Ahead of their Brighton Fringe run, we caught up with the team to hear how they’re turning circus on its head.

In a world where contemporary circus often pushes boundaries, what sets Nose Dive Assembly apart from other circus performances?The Nose Dive Assembly is a contemporary circus show within a traditional setting of a Big Top. The magic of circus and it’s history is so visceral that it makes the audience feel giddy and enchanted from the start. Not a lot of contemporary shows tour in Big Tops nowadays. Furthermore, what makes this show stand out is not only it’s innovative apparatuses that surprise even the most experienced circus performers, but it also doesn’t shy away from showing the human behind the performer. The cast is such a tight nit group that allows to push acrobatic boundaries and human connection to a level that allows for so much joy, risk taking, vulnerability and trust. 

Pierrot’s evolution is driven by both her own struggle and the influence of the troupe. How does audience participation shape her journey throughout the show?Audience participation is key to bringing this story to life. Live shows are an interactive experience that give so much energy to everyone on stage. In the case of this show,  it’s so easy to think we are alone in the chase of our crazy dreams. If Pierrot were to try and fly by herself, as we discover in the Nose Dive Assembly, she won’t get very far. Having an audience witness her struggles gives her hope to keep trying because that is what the audience want to see: they want to see her succeed. Because if she can do it, so can they!  

The show dives into the idea of failure being a necessary part of learning. What more can you tell us about that?Like anything in life, nothing is linear. Failing is inevitable, although very often perceived negatively. I think what the show offers is a new perspective on failure:  it’s creativity, it’s curiosity, it’s a lot of problem solving that initiates a fire within us to back ourselves up and try again differently. 

The Wheel of Death is a signature act in the show. What inspired you incorporate the act?I can’t speak on behalf of the Directors, but personally I can only double down on how powerful this act is. The mental strength required to perform this act day in and day out is not to be underestimated. It is called Wheel of Death for a reason. There is no room for failure. What Fiona and Emily master every show with such focus and grace is something I will always be inspired by and feel very privileged to witness every show. 

At its core, Nose Dive Assembly is about friendship and pushing through fears. How do these emotional elements come to life through the circus acts?

You’ll have to come and experience it first hand to feel the full range of emotions. That can only be done by incredibly skilled and passionate performers that have known each other for a long time. The trust that exists between the cast members genuinely shines through. And thanks to that trust, which is the foundation of the show, we get to push acrobatic and emotional boundaries that bit further.

You’ve previously performed this show in London. What has the response been like to the show so far? And what are you most looking forward to about bringing it to Brighton?We’ve had a great turnout in London with the tent full of people excited to talk about what they loved, and how they felt after the show. Audiences have been very invested emotionally with Pierrot’s journey, left empowered by the defiance in stereotypes of gender roles and flabbergasted by the many stunts and never before seen circus apparatuses. The show keeps growing at every stand we do and we’re really excited to see how Nose Dive Assembly will evolve during our time here. Brighton has so much soul and character and we’re looking forward to see how audience members will interact with our show.

The show is created for all ages, but its themes seem particularly poignant for adults. How do you ensure the story resonates with diverse audiences, from children to adults?That is the beauty of circus, expressing themes through the medium of acrobatics and storytelling. The story is an invitation for adults to view it’s themes from a child’s or an acrobat’s perspective. The show is rich in variety and is sure to resonate with it’s audience.  

Nose Dive Assembly: Birds of a Feather will be performed at Brighton Fringe’s Circus Yard from 2nd May – 1st June. For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/the-nose-dive-assembly