Much famed in circus circles, Stephen has worked in the entertainment industry for the last twenty years. When asked for information about himself, Stephen won’t tell you much, but it is well known that he has performed and directed with Circus Oz for many years, in many countries. He has also worked with the companies Bizircus, Dislocate, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Rock n Roll Circus, The Collapsable Man, Marg and the Beast, The Ukulele Ladies, Horned Moon, A Scam and A Strongman, Coco and Guido, The Essendon Policewomen’s Marching Band, The Maurice’s, The Flying Felafels, The Miserables, The Comedy Company and more. Stephen is currently working with the NICA [the National Institute of Circus Arts] passing on the wealth of his knowledge and experience teaching, training and directing.
Born in Brisvegas in 1972, Lil was a compulsive show-off from a young age [so her Mum says]. With a background in Rhythmic Gymnastics, dance, contact impro and capoiera, she says she didn't settle until she discovered the circus community. Skills-wise, Lil will have a go at anything, but prefers to “stick to the ground”. She has a particular passion for adagio (duo balancing) and is a plum ace whip-cracker. Lil says she is generally “into anything that lets her dress up” in the fabulous costumes she is noted for. Being a dab hand on the sewing machine, Lil designs and makes her own costumes. Lil has performed with Vulcana Women’s Circus and is now a member of the immensely successful Happy Sideshow, which has been touring festivals in Australia and Europe for the last three years. Lil recently uncovered a photograph of her great great great grandfather who travelled to Australia at the age of 6 as part of a circus trapeze troupe.
The enigmatic Glendy is pictured here during a stint as musical director with Circus Monoxide. Glendy plays the trombone , trumpet and the tuba (when he’s allowed). He also sings and performs clowning. He enjoys the “multi-function type of gig” that circus is, but admits to finding it exhausting on occasions. Glendy believes that “circus people are a bunch of freaks”, and has therefore felt right at home with the circus community. “Where else could you watch someone spend three hours perfecting the art of pulling a rubber dove out of their pants or learning how to drop a metal bucket onto their head so that it makes the right noise?”, he ponders. For Glendy, it’s these little things that make working with circus worthwhile.
