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Have you ever seen a circus and dreamed
about doing some of the incredible stunts
and tricks? This is where circus workshops
come in. They are ideal for showing you how
to achieve the impossible for yourself with
maximum fun, no matter what your age.
I went along to meet Professor Panic,
from the Panic Circus. He runs thrilling
circus skills workshops for boys and
girls from five years up. He says: “You
build your confidence learning circus
skills. You can try out circus tools like
the diabolo (a juggling tool spun using a
string), plate spinning and tightrope.”
In a circus workshop the equipment is
designed for everyone to take part. If
you walk the tightrope you rest your
hands on the arms of your helper as
you walk towards them, so that you
can be safe and steady. The tightrope
can be two feet off the ground. Children
aged three to five can also use special
juggling props called devil sticks where a
baton is juggled and twirled!
10 SPARK
Some of the Professor’s fans have gone
on to become circus performers. I met
Sam, who is training to be an engineer.
He is in a dance team that supports
the circus but says that he started out
learning all the circus tricks when he
was five. “It’s great for meeting other
children outside school and you gain
lots of confidence!” he says. There’s also
Jess, who was inspired to try out circus
tricks when she saw a circus member
on a unicycle juggling fire. “She can ride
a unicycle now and even juggles” the
Professor says.
Look out for Professor Panic wearing
any of the awesome hats from
his collection and his magnificent
storyteller’s black coat with one hundred
pockets!