When I arrived in Sydney on the morning
of 10th January I was a bit of a wreck: I hadn't realised
just how much of a difference there would be between visiting
Australia on holiday, and moving to Australia. Despite the
fact I have no idea how long I'll stay here, people have been saying
goodbye to me as if it was forever! It was an emotional journey...I
began to feel very English and nostalgic within minutes of reaching
the departure lounge. And after three days in Kuala Lumpur feeling
jetlagged, hot, tired, and just a little bit lonely – well, thank
goodness I had Sarah and baby James waiting for me in the arrivals
hall!
Two weeks in I'm feeling much better.
I've kept myself very busy, diving straight in to the circus scene.
I've blagged two free tickets to circus shows (Circus Oz &
Empire), visited two flying trapeze rigs, one aerial space for a
'Sticky pole' lesson (very disappointing and messy version of Chinese
Pole, but the only one in Sydney apparently!) and Circus Avalon in
Newcastle – who I was just visiting to see a performance and talk
shop with the director, but ended up performing with in the afternoon
show - amazing! After being introduced on stage by the compere, he
asked me why I had moved to Australia? My answer, on the spot, was
'Adventure and Sunshine' :) . I wore a borrowed outfit and had had
about 30 seconds to try the trapeze bar and rehearse a few moves -
and am happy to say I managed to pull off a reasonable version of my
Bristol routine. It was a great way to meet the Avalon folk, and I am
officially now a member! The only problem is distance, Newcastle
being a three hour train ride away from Sydney, but at least they
have a proper Chinese Pole!
I have also met some wonderful people
here already. A great flying crew at Circus Arts Sydney, who also
love a bit of Acro on the beach (or anywhere, in fact) – and with
whom I'm training up to do the lines and catch with.
I've also met
most of the Circus Oz cast (who kindly got me the comp tkt!) who are
over from Melbourne for the Sydney Festival. I'm hearing
more and more that Melbourne and Brisbane are the places to be for
circus, and with little prospect of a paid circus job showing itself
(so far) in Sydney, I'm wondering how long I should
stay here, and where I should base myself, or whether I will get a
circus job at all: I've already felt quite daunted by meeting some
seriously skilled and professional performers with years of circus school behind them. Tomorrow, however,
brings me my first paid job in circus – a very glamorous role
helping to take down the Circus Oz big top!
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