Mish Weaver journey to circus came through an initial love of sculpture, and then choreography. She uses all these talents simultaneously, designing sets and rigs for physical performance/circus, aerial and floor-based props, teaching trapeze (cloudswing, swinging, doubles and static) and directing and choreographing circus performances, engaged in a passionate exploration of the relationship between movement and objects, circus technique and choreography.

Mish, who lives in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, has worked both as an independent performer and within numerous circuses such as No Fit State throughout the UK and beyond. She was Head of Aerial at Circus Space, London, 2000 to 2003.

In 2007 she formed Stumble danceCircus. Stumble was born out of her desire for autonomy in her work and to create an environment in which artists can feel safe and nurtured, and as a result that the audience feel engaged and included.

They work from project to project with collaborators changing, mingling and often re-appearing. The company ethos invites feedback and enjoys reflection on practice, process and creative development.

Stumble danceCircus delivers a new form of entertainment. Skilled balancers and dancers revelling in Circus’ rich history of novelty apparatus, colour and exhilaration. Circus brought to you with a sculptor’s eye, with a keen ear for beautiful music and a strong sense of the individual’s tale.

Their first outing (2008) was a cabaret of unstable solos entitled An Evening Of Instability, which drew on some of the best new Circus talent in Britain and the experience and flair of some of the strongest aerial and acrobatic names on the contemporary circuit plus dancers such as Claire Cunningham.

In 2010 they previewed a developmental performance, a one-man show called Bipolar Ringmaster (without a Circus).  In 2011, Stumble are expanded this character and theme within an ensemble production, a Bipolar Circus, ‘Box of Frogs’, both based on Mish’s own experiences with bipolar disorder, which is being presented in 2012. Stumble is determined to be brave, honest and organic.  Stumble is proud to be Circus.

Read more – an interview with Mish Weaver about her experiences of bipolar disorder and circus in Run Riot.