Performers at the not-for-profit Revel Puck Circus 

THE age-old dream of running away with the circus could become reality – after a circus company applied to use HS2 land to host big top skills courses.

Circus trainers and performers the Revel Puck Circus have approached the builders of the high speed route for permission to create a training school on some of the many acres in Euston left empty by the recent “pausing” of HS2 for the foreseeable future.

HS2 developers Lend Lease and civic group The Euston Partnership are canvassing for ideas of how to use empty spaces before work re-starts.

Suggestions include football pitches, meadows and markets – but new plans show Euston could become the birthplace of a new wave of acrobatic performers.

The Revel Puck Circus was founded in 2018 and has worked with developers and local authorities to use “meanwhile” spaces for shows and training courses. Last year, they supported 180 emerging artists and put on shows for more than 10,000 people.

Founder Luke Hallgarten – a juggler and acrobat with two decades training – told the New Journal how the not-for-profit circus company will share their talents.

He said: “London lacks spaces for circus training and performances. There is a need. We plan to bring big tops to Euston and offer a mix of classes and shows, with a focus on youth work and development. In its proposal, the group say their plans will be a “collection of visually striking and unique temporary structures.”

Mr Hallgarten believes circus skills training benefits from a lack of elitism

Under the canvas there would be a dedicated circus and training space, a second “creation and performance” venue, a dedicated area for temporary structures and international touring companies, and a series of workshops for wood, metal and textile prop and scenery production. It adds that each structure is mobile and can move when work eventually recommences.

Mr Hallgarten grew up in Camden and found school a struggle.

“I was dyslexic and had found it hard to make friends,” he recalls. “When I was nine, my mum was looking for something to give me some confidence – so she took me to a circus school.”

Five possible HS2 plots are likely to find temporary uses, including land off Hampstead Road and North Gower Street. While not all are immediately available, some could be used this summer.

Mr Hallgarten said: “Most of us at Puck came through youth circuses. We have seen first-hand the value it brings in terms of confidence and building communities. There is no elitism in it.”

Mr Hallgarten began with two hours a week of juggling and acrobatics and joined the London Youth Circus.

He said: “When I was younger, the ability to be physical in a non-competitive atmosphere, be expressive and creative, was wonderful. My specialism is juggling. As a tubby lad I could still find my space.”

HS2 diggers flattened land around Hampstead Road

This is another aspect he says why it should be considered, as Camden’s has some of the highest rates of young people eligible for free school meals.

He said: “Circus has something for all, no matter your physical prowess. For example, smaller people find plenty that suits them. This was a real attraction to me as a child. My differences was my value. Not being academic, this was a tangible thing I could feel myself improving at.”

And as well as those in the ring, the circus offers a range of production jobs.

Mr Hallgarten said: “It is work in the creative industries. “Circus needs highly skilled production staff. We offer work-based training for a host of skill sets. Owning and maintaining a traditional circus big top, for example, requires mechanics, welders and riggers.”

An HS2 Ltd. spokesperson said: “Working through the Euston Partnership we are engaging with the local community, voluntary and third sector organisations to develop ideas and identify meanwhile use projects during the re-phasing period for the construction of HS2. “We are committed to working with the local community and providing available space to meet their needs where possible.”