Research and Resource Centre for the Performing Arts in Andalusia

In recent years the circus has undergone an evolution that has given way to the so-called contemporary circus. This small but representative exhibition is a selection of a larger one, “Circo Contemporáneo Andaluz SXXI” that took place in 2018.

It retains certain aspects of the traditional circus such as trapeze, juggling, pirouettes, but it also includes other elements such as theatre, scenography, dramaturgy and especially dance. Techniques of the scales, balance or verticals are used.

Vaivén company, winner of the 2016 National Circus Award (Spain), has based its work on acrobatics, but also on research and interaction  with scenography to become one of the most solid Spanish companies.

The show “Do not disturb” served as its launching pad and flagship, with more than 1,000 performances worldwide. In the photo, the main cast: Raquel Pretel, Miguel Ángel Moreno (Bolo), Chema Martín and Emilio Arquillo.

The use of animals has also changed, as the contemporary circus does not introduce trained animals anymore. Many of the shows are adapted to be performed in the street, in the style of street theatre. 

Carolina Bustamante’s favourite discipline, flying trapeze, has led her to live more time outside Andalusia than inside, although she has always made her Andalusian identity clear.

A young, expressive and avant-garde language is sought in order to achieve a more creative and innovative show in line with the tastes of today's audiences. And the contemporary circus that has been developing in recent years in Andalusia is an expert in all this.

In this singular proposal “Distans”, the founders of the company, Sara Ortiz and Alberto Foncunil, star in a story of friendship, unusual juggling and somersaults supported by an impressive set design.

Experience and trajectory that is beginning to be recognised and endorsed with different awards outside the scope of the region. Andalusian circus is diverse, effervescent, innovative, genuine, attractive, rigorous and beautiful, and that it is also strikingly well positioned.

Using a language based on acrobatics and humour, with the show “Oopart” it consolidates itself as one of the most solid companies in Spain.

Antonio Jesús Gómez, “El Gran Dimitri”, is one of the most outstanding clowns in Spain. 

He has presented the most important circus galas and is a regular performer at the most prestigious festivals and programmes, and he is also in great demand as a director in numerous companies.

“La Madeja” is her precious and original solo show.  She often participates in circus galas. Now she is collaborating with the company Vaivén for the staging of their latest show.

Iñaki Erdocia is a restless trapeze artist from Seville. He shares his activity between training, in projects such as Kataploff, Espacio Vacío or La Nave, and the stage. 

He is currently a member of the Malaga-based company Rolabola and also works solo with numbers for galas.

Three decades of profession are enough to cultivate many laughs, to organize festivals, to organize cabarets, to promote social circus expeditions to areas with special needs and to introduce the circus in the Andalusian province of Jaén.

The IO Company is formed by Álvaro Fitinho from Galicia and Álvaro Pérez from Seville, a specialist in cyr wheel and a member of other projects, such as “Instante” with the Varuma Company or “Neón”, from Truca Circus. 

Ruben Barroso, “Mini”, is one of the artists who has been at the forefront of the Andalusian circus for the longest time, being one of the best jugglers and, at the same time, a verticalist of the highest technical level.

“Mini” is a veteran of the street, of galas and cabarets and a member of companies such as Varuma and Rolabola.