TRIO CIRCUS TROUPE
Formed in 2014 by three multi-skilled circus women; Fiona Thornhill, Jessica Ladley and Lil Rice, London based Alula Cyr creates exciting modern work inspired by their shared obsession in the Cyr wheel and passion to perform material with a message. Using their solo foundation skills in artistic gymnastics, contemporary dance and live music they began exploring their trio potential at The National Centre for Circus Arts in 2012. Since graduating they have performed across Europe and have become renowned for their innovative and experimental approach to Cyr Wheel, creating structures with the wheels to handstand on, tumble through and use as a tight wire as well as executing synchronised spinning, doubles and triples manoeuvres on a single wheel! The Alula ladies are a female-focused collective that exists to strengthen and unite women and young girls by engaging them in contemporary circus. Their much anticipated debut show HYENA is co-produced by Jacksons Lane theatre, where they are associate Artists, and is the culmination of two years research fusing circus, dance and song. These wild women epitomize their truthful fierce friendship and tribal solidarity with this creation of thrilling physical ritual and a heart-wrenching need to belong.
Alula Cyr
The Alula ladies have multiple existing acts ranging from three to 15-minutes as well as their debut 50-minute show HYENA. They are experienced ensemble members and have wide experience in tailoring a trio, duo or solo act for any event whether it cabaret, contemporary or corporate.
As skilled teachers in Cyr wheel, dance and acrobatics they are available to teach solo lessons and group workshops to all budding enthusiast, both beginners and professionals of all ages. They have taught large workshops across Europe, from advanced classes at Extreme Convention in Belgium and Sorin Sirkus in Finland as well as specialised workshops for children with neurodevelopmental disorders at The Black-E in Liverpool. See outreach for more info.
The Alula Ladies are currently working across the UK and abroad as the worlds first and only female Cyr wheel trio. They are 2015 Circus Maximus finalists and have performed on TV for BBC1's Tumble and The John Bishop Show as well as live on stage for the Evening Standards ‘Young Progress Makers’ event at the Roundhouse, TakepArt Festival in Wales, FRESH at The Place, UNICEF’s Halloween Ball at One Embankment, on the Time Out stage at Wilderness Festival, Curious? Festival in Kings Cross, Atlas Festival's Young Talent Night in Belgium, Resolution Festival at The Place in London, Subcase at Subtopia in Sweden, The Night Circus Festival at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Women in Circus Consortium in Sweden, Circa Festival's Circle Shows in France, as well as Transmission, Hangwire and Postcards at Jacksons Lane in London. Alula are Family Arts Standards holders as well as Associate Artists at Jacksons Lane and have received funding and support for their debut show, HYENA, from the National Centre for Circus Arts, Sea Change Arts, The Point Eastleigh and The Place.
The Alula Ladies
The members of Alula Cyr came to circus from varying artistic paths; Jess from contemporary dance, Lil from live music and Fiona from artistic gymnastics. Starting Cyr Wheel at the National Centre together in 2012 they instantly formed a friendship many said was unlikely and went on to spend the next three years pushing, supporting and learning their craft side by side. In their second year they were asked to create a short show, later named 3.3r, to perform in the Circles shows in Auch, France, becoming only the second group of students to represent the school at the International Circus Festival, Circa. Soon after they were asked to perform 3.3r at DOCH's Women in Circus Consortium, in Sweden, and for the Night Circus Festival at the Birmingham Hippodrome. On returning to London the National Centre for Circus Arts announced the opportunity for the BA Honours students to receive funding and mentorship with their first ever Entrepreneur Award. This propelled Jess, Lil and Fiona to find the name Alula Cyr and create a winning Business Plan. In July 2015 they won this award and the following October they successfully achieved their first Arts Council Grant, a year later they were made Associate Artists at Jacksons Lane - providing them with the support, mentoring and funding to spin of into creation for their debut full length show, HYENA. To keep up to date with the Alula ladies please click on the social media links at the footer of this page.
Jessica Ladley
Lil Rice
Fiona Thornhill
Jess has forever had a passion for performing arts; she started dancing at the age of three at Victoria School of Dance and by the age of fifteen she was competing in Sports Acrobatics at Wakefield Gymnastics Club, where she stayed for five years. At age nineteen she was accepted to studied Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In 2012 she decided to move to London to follow her dream of joining the Circus. Jess is currently completing her BA Hons at the National Centre where she specializes in Cyr Wheel, working to combine her strong dance and acrobatic foundation with the wonders of the wheel. At the start of her second year she was flown to India to perform as a special guest at the Indian Badminton League Ceremony.
Lil has been a singer from a young age and currently performs with her band Rice and Clark across the UK at venues including the O2 Academy Islington. Lil initially started on a very different path studying Philosophy and Theology at Glasgow University, but in 2011 she found herself singing, dancing and working as the Assistant Stage Manager at Gifford’s Circus. This inspired her to do the BTEC in Circus Arts with National Centre and Hackney Community College, later progressing onto the Degree program. In 2012 Lil performed as an aerialist on the London Eye for the Olympics, and in 2013 she co-founded Tangerino with her sister and has since put on three sell-out shows in venues across London, while also performing in a singing Cyr wheel duo and now has her own solo singing Cyr wheel act. Lil is half of the Country/Blues duo 'Lil & Ollie' who will shortly be releasing their debut album.
After eleven years competing nationally and internationally as an elite artistic gymnast Fiona was accepted onto the two year Foundation Degree at the National Centre for Circus Arts, progressing onto the BA Honours where she graduated with a First in July 2015. In her first year she performed at the 100th Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen, with Mark Ronson and Katie B at the Torch Relay Concert in Hyde Park, in front of 80,000 people. Fiona has appeared on TV for BBC's Tumble, The John Bishop Show, Blue Peter and the Move to the Beat 2012 Olympic Documentary. She has largely featured in music videos for Henry Green, Block Party and Katie B as well as modelling for Ben Hopper and Sylvain Deleu. Fiona continues to perform in Cabarets across London; Café de Paris most regularly, as well as high end corporate and commercial events with her solo Cyr Wheel act and Acrobatic/Dance act both in the UK and abroad.
