The Early Days

In 1975, in a little cottage at Long Green, West Lothian, Scotland, Suitcase Circus was born. It started as an informal association of support for the work of Reg Bolton (1945 – 2006) introducing Circus Skills into the streets & housing estates of Edinburgh.

Reg spent a short time studying at L'Ecole Nationale du Cirque, Annie Fratellini's Circus School in Paris. It was clear that Reg was not cut out to be a great Circus Star, his orangutan arms would never straighten into an elegant handstand, but had stayed long enough to make a great decision. He would start his own Circus School, where elegance & perfection would not be the only criteria.

The Edinburgh Summer Circus School, in 1977 attracted 30 students; 10 from Scotland, 10 from England, & 10 from overseas. The teachers included Annie Stainer, Emil Wolk, Frankie Anderson, Toby Philpott & Paula Melbourne, who was undoubtedly a pioneer of the new aerialists.

Over the three seasons of the school, the concept of Community Circus had started to develop, & both Craigmillar & Pilton, infamous Edinburgh housing estates, had their own Children's Circuses, later to combine for a legendary tour of the Western Isles.

In 1981, Suitcase Circus organised the first ever Community Circus Festival, in Manchester, featuring performances from 6 or 7 groups from various parts of England & Scotland. Among the team involved in that first festival were Pauline Peel, Tina Glover, Andy Webster, Danny Hignett & Linda Chase Broda.

The next few years saw similar events in Edinburgh, Palenville (USA), Rochester (England), & Brisbane (Australia).

The Long Green Theatre Company

Throughout the 70’s & 80’s the Bolton family, Reg & Annie along with their children Jo & Sophie performed as ‘The Long Green Theatre Company’ in more than 20 countries around the world.

As it happened, one of their most popular children’s theatre shows was also named ‘Suitcase Circus’.

A situation of art imitating life, a show about a family travelling around the globe putting on shows. This charming story contained a whole gamut of theatrical forms, circus, slapstick, puppetry, dance & music.

The first time the whole family visited Western Australia was in 1983, performing this show at the Perth Children’s Festival as part of a national tour which included dates in Melbourne, Sydney & Canberra.

Suitcase Circus WA

Then, in 1985, the Bolton family moved to WA, & a new phase began.  The land of the big sky also offered unlimited horizons.

Reg Bolton toured the state extensively in 1985 with his show ‘Sawdust Superstars’ & pioneered early WA Circus-in-Education events including visits to remote communities & produced the first WA circus school projects with Balga SHS & Cecil Andrews SHS.

Reg & wife Annie Stainer both took up positions at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Annie Stainer was Head of Movement for actors’ courses for 7 years & Reg directed 17 different Theatre-in-Education productions at WAAPA. (Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley) between 1985 & '91.

Suitcase Circus began to work with Sports Clubs, with Corporations, in Shopping Centres, with Aboriginal & other cultural groups, with special interest groups, at rural Agricultural shows & at Pre-Schools & Universities.

Reg, a qualified teacher who had somehow not got around to getting a real job, embraced opportunities to work on Circus in Education.

Jo Bolton, his son, also found he had real talent & enthusiasm for teaching & this gradually became the main focus of Suitcase Circus.

For more about Reg Bolton's work, please visit regbolton.org

For info about the current work of Annie Stainer check out Total Theatre. totaltheatre.com.au