Successful Islander Thorne Bailey is coming home - appearing at Ventnor Fringe as part of a "jaw-droppingly magnificent" show.
Cyr wheel performer Thorne is returning to his roots and performing in the Big Top in the audacious, humorous and skillful circus show Bromance.
Thorne’s circus journey began when he was eight and he attended a workshop by Ryde Extreme Performers run by Natt Splatt.
Soon, there were weekly expeditions to join the performers and learn skills like devil sticks, poi, diabolo, plate spinning and acrobatics.
Within a few years, Thorne was one of the growing band of young people who would perform at local festivals and help introduce others to circus skills.
Under Natt’s tutelage and with many hours of practice, Thorne gained in skills and performance technique, so much so that, in his early teens, he attended an audition in London to take part in a scheme run for young people with exceptional talent and potential.
He was successful and gained a place at Circus Space, a centre for advanced training. At 18, Thorne moved to London to study for a BTec in circus performance and then went on to study for an honours degree.
Thorne specialises in Cyr wheel which involves manipulating a 2m metal ring, almost like a dance partner.
Like many performers, lockdown curtailed Throne’s ability to both practise and perform, but he found ways to transform the family’s 4m square front drive into a performance space and created a lockdown act.
Thorne currently performs with several physical theatre/circus companies including Dreamtech, Farmyard Circus and Barely Methodical Troupe.
Last year, Thorne went on tour in Canada with Barely Methodical’s Bromance.
Thorne’s family, who live in Cowes, is delighted that the company is bringing it to the Isle of Wight.
Bromance is a circus show about friendship and explores how a new person wanting to enter the group can alter the dynamics with feeling of rejection, and then acceptance and a growing sense of camaraderie.
Thorne said: "Performing on the Island is meaningful for me because I rarely get to showcase what I do at home, so to be bringing this show to Ventnor is really special.
"The Island is where circus all started for me and I haven't performed on a stage (that wasn't my driveway) here since 2019.
"A standout moment of my career has to be touring around Canada with Barely Methodical Troupe last spring, and within that, finishing a performance in Alberta, driving to the hotel and then going for a walk and seeing the northern lights dance above us, all in one day, is pretty magical.
"If you're looking to do this career, whether you're ten or you're 30, I'd wholeheartedly say do it.
"If you're not sure where to start, seeing shows and talking to the performers is always a good place.
"I'd also recommend looking for recreational classes and after school clubs, or look at doing a BTEC or degree in it.
"If there's none of that in your area, gymnastics, tricking, parkour, and break-dancing all lend themselves to circus and will give you a headstart."
Thorne's mother, the well-known Isle of Wight storyteller Sue Bailey, said: “It’s a bit heart-stopping watching Thorne cyr wheeling and performing some of the acrobatics but it also makes me feel very proud.”
Bromance will be in the Big Top at Ventnor Fringe at 4pm on July 25 to 27.
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