The Acts

THE FLYER WHO FEARS STAIRS. One performance only, from forty feet up.I cross open air without a thought and climb three trailer steps like a prisoner. Which of those is the stupid one?Ilka DonnellyRigging loft · RiskyTear it LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND THE STUBBORN. The ringmistress will now raise one eyebrow.That was the entire act. Sit down and tell me what you came to ask.Bronagh LanzaroteBig top · ShowyTear it THE KNIFE THROWER ASKS FOR STILLNESS. Hands flat against the board, please.I am smiling now, in case you cannot tell. What do you do when you are afraid?Zofia AlcottPractice barn · HushedTear it WARDROBE CALL. A loose thread at the left cuff. Hold still, mi cielo.Every seam in this camp has told me a secret. Yours is next.Paloma FerroWagon row · TenderTear it THE PYRAMID'S BASE REQUESTS A WITNESS. Cartwheel, handstand, pun.You judge the pun. Score honestly; I land on my feet either way.Matilda OkoyeBig top · ShowyTear it FORTUNES TOLD WITH HONEST DOUBT. Mind the beads on your way in.Perhaps I see your future. Perhaps I only see your coat. Sit, and we shall find out.Svetlana LockwoodWagon row · HushedTear it THE CLOWN REMOVES HER FACE, SLOWLY. Applause is not required.Would you hold the mirror? I am slower tonight than the cold cream.Cosima ReissWagon row · TenderTear it FIRE SWINGER, ONE BUCKET WITHIN REACH. Boots off, matches out of pockets.I am joking. Mostly. Come in, there is ginger cake.Hettie GrosvenorPractice barn · RiskyTear it THE AERIALIST HANGS FROM SILK AND FROM A SENTENCE.I was thinking about the colour of rain on canvas: greyer than the word, and softer. What colour is your week?Anouk DelacourRigging loft · HushedTear it SIX OBJECTS IN FLIGHT, ONE GRUDGE IN THE POCKET.Catch the red one. Not that one, that one is the grudge.Femi AdelekeBig top · ShowyTear it VIEW FROM SIX FEET UP: the whole camp, lit window by lit window.You stopped at the third trailer and kept walking. I noticed. Want to say why?Winona RedcloudWagon row · WryTear it WIND, FOUR. CANVAS, SOUND. TENT MASTER ON DUTY.You held the rope. I noticed. The coffee is strong and I have forty minutes.Edda LindblomBig top · HushedTear it THE CONTORTIONIST IS CURRENTLY IN THE TRUNK. Please address the lid.It is roomier than your last flat, I would wager. Ask me anything. I am going nowhere.Lisbet NolanWagon row · WryTear it SUPPER FOR TWO HUNDRED. Every plate is graded.Sit. Eat. Tell me what you had for lunch and I will tell you what is wrong with you.Ottoline ArdernMess tent · TenderTear it THE MAGICIAN SHOWS THE TRICK AND KEEPS THE SECRET.Think of a number between one and ten, and do not say it. I have already written it down.Rania GruberBig top · ShowyTear it ONE WHEEL, ONE BALANCE, ONE SCOREBOOK.You are down by one, the notebook says so. Race me to the water pump?Tilda SvenssonPractice barn · ShowyTear it REHEARSAL NOTICE: the trailer steps are wet again.Stand where I can see you and keep talking until I am inside. Dare accepted?Ilka DonnellyPractice barn · WryTear it NOTICE TO THE COMPANY: the new face by the pole is not on my list.Tea is poured. You have until it cools to explain yourself.Bronagh LanzaroteWagon row · HushedTear it TONIGHT'S RULE: no sudden moves, no clever remarks, no sneezing.Choose one to break. I will tell you which I would miss.Zofia AlcottBig top · WryTear it THE WARDROBE WAGON STAYS OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT, OR UNTIL THE PINS RUN OUT.Come in, borrow a button, leave me a story.Paloma FerroWagon row · WryTear it BETWEEN REHEARSALS the pyramid goes quiet and I hold the weight alone.Keep me company for ten minutes. You need not be funny.Matilda OkoyePractice barn · TenderTear it THE TEA HAS GONE COLD AND SO HAS THE LAST PROPHECY.Tell me one thing that went well this week and I will read the leaves anyway.Svetlana LockwoodMess tent · WryTear it AFTER THE LAST LAUGH the tent is a different room.Come and sit in the empty ring. It is the only place I am entirely myself.Cosima ReissBig top · HushedTear it SAFETY BRIEFING, LEEDS STYLE: three extinguishers, one bucket, no heroes.Sit by me and tell me what you would risk for a good story.Hettie GrosvenorMess tent · TenderTear it I LOST MY KEYS IN THE WAGON and found a poem in the pocket.Help me look for the keys. We may find the next line.Anouk DelacourBig top · TenderTear it I HAVE REPEATED THE SAME RHYTHM FOR SIX HOURS and it still breaks on the seventh throw.Count for me, and do not blink on seven.Femi AdelekePractice barn · WryTear it THE NOTEBOOK HAS A PAGE FOR EVERY WINDOW and none for me.Be my first entry. Tell me where you would stand.Winona RedcloudBig top · HushedTear it THREE THOUSAND TENTS RAISED and I still check every knot twice.Show me how you tie yours and I will tell you who taught you.Edda LindblomMess tent · WryTear it FITS WHERE YOU WOULD NOT THINK, FOLDS WHERE YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS.Pick a spot in this camp and I will show you how I would get in.Lisbet NolanPractice barn · ShowyTear it THERE IS ALWAYS TOO MUCH. IT IS ON PURPOSE.A ladle for the brave, a spoon for the shy. Choose your weapon.Ottoline ArdernMess tent · WryTear it THERE ARE TWO DOORS IN MY TRAILER and only one is the way out.Choose. I will not tell you which one was the trick.Rania GruberWagon row · HushedTear it LOSER BUYS THE COFFEE. I am still owed seven from last season.Table tennis, best of five. Do not count the cheating.Tilda SvenssonMess tent · WryTear it