New 'meanwhile' space unveiled for circus group

An "incredible" performance group that was evicted from its home of more than 10 years has revealed it will work in a new "meanwhile space" for the next five years.

The Invisible Circus in Bristol left its world-renowned training space and home - Unit 15 - in 2023 after it was earmarked for student accommodation.

Since then, organisers behind the city centre venue The Prospect Building - a former torpedo factory - have agreed to let the circus group use the site so they can "continue what they do for many years to come".

Circus co-founder Doug Francisco said the offer to use the space "came along in the eleventh hour".

He said: "Losing Unit 15 was a dramatic slow thing to go through. The process was quite brutal because it took a long time.

"The original planning proposal got over 250 objections but that didn't bring any meaningful outcomes for us.

"We were left to move out with no resources to set up anywhere else and no meaningful offers from the council or anyone else to help us."

Bristol City Council has been approached for comment.

Francisco went on to say it felt "prescient" that a cultural organisation that had been "established for so long" in Bristol had to move.

"The Prospect is our meanwhile space. Ideally we would like to find a long-term solution," he said.

Francisco said the group would "not be stopped" and had "relentless optimism in the face of challenging circumstances".

Kathryn Chiswell Jones, CEO of Artspace Lifespace, a charitable organisation that looked after many of the buildings the circus has performed in, said it was "fantastic" that the circus would be able to continue to do shows.

However, she emphasised there was "still a massive loss for the community" from the move from Unit 15.

"People came from all over the world to use that space," she said.

"I'm obviously thrilled there will be more shows but it doesn't take away from the loss of that important resource."

Commenting on its closure, one Invisible Circus performer known as Real Amy G, said she had to continue her training at The Island.

She said the space was "considerably smaller".

She added: "It's definitely been harder to get a footing on finding a space that can support working professionals in the industry to train."

The circus's first event at The Prospect Building takes place in September.

Prospect co-founder Will Harold said: "There's so many different layers to what they do.

"They're under-recognised and marginalised by developments around the city.

"I hope they continue for many years to come because what they do is incredible."

The troop has since reached a 30-year "milestone" which is being celebrated with an immersive performance at Ashton Court Mansion on 10 April.

The group started out as handful of street performers who travelled around Europe and performed in Bristol.

As more people joined, Francisco and co-founder Wim Penhaul decided they needed a base to come back to.

They eventually found a home in Bristol - more than 20 years ago.

Francisco said after all their "love, energy and community building" he wants to try one last time to redefine what empty spaces could be used for.

He described the upcoming closure of some high street spaces as a "moment".

"The Galleries is closing down [and] there's nothing in the works but there's definitely a last opportunity to make something different happen because spaces elsewhere are dwindling," he said.

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