By Terri Soumilas
When the request for someone to do an article about the next production of the Women’s Circus came through, I quickly put up my hand. I have strong memories sitting in total awe of women of all sizes and shapes jumping around the stage. I was in the audience for their first performance, so I feel privileged to be able to hear about its latest production and to be part of the 35 years celebrations.
For 35 years, Women’s Circus has been creating spaces where women can come together, take risks, build confidence and tell their stories. Based in the historic Drill Hall in Footscray, the organisation has grown from a small project supporting women who had experienced violence into a vibrant, intersectional feminist community arts organisation that continues to transform lives through creativity, movement and connection.
Speaking about the organisation’s journey, Executive Director Pippin Remy reflected on Women’s Circus’s rich history and the many people who have helped shape it over the years. Drawing on her own deep connection to circus and community arts, she spoke about how the organisation has evolved while staying true to its commitment to creating safe, inclusive and empowering spaces where people can connect, grow and belong.
Today, Women’s Circus is home to around 260 members and approximately 80 young people. It welcomes women and people of marginalised genders from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The organisation’s strategic focus prioritises supporting First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
At its core, Women’s Circus uses the arts as a powerful tool for social connection and personal growth. Through what is often described as “social circus”, participants are encouraged to explore movement, creativity and trust in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Through circus participants discover more than new skills. They build confidence in themselves, develop trusting relationships with others, and become part of a welcoming community that helps reduce isolation and foster connection.
As Women’s Circus approaches its 35th anniversary, the organisation is preparing to present Murmuration, its first large-scale production in seven years. The performance represents both a celebration of the organisation’s past and an expression of its ongoing community spirit.
Featuring approximately 60 performers aged between 19 and 77, Murmuration brings together multiple generations of Women’s Circus members in a remarkable demonstration of creativity and collaboration. The production has been directed by alumni Christy Flaws, while member Elsa Wild has played a central role in shaping and editing the script. I can remember Vig Geddes the oldest performer (77years old!, in the earliest performances, and here she is today, performing in the 35 years celebration.
Pippin believes that what makes Murmuration particularly special is its deeply community-led creative process. The performance is built from the personal stories, memories and reflections of the cast themselves. Through humour, storytelling and spectacular circus performance, the production honours the experiences of those who have been part of Women’s Circus across its history.
Pippin has a real passion for the performance title, Murmuration, which draws inspiration from the mesmerising movement of bird flocks that shift and flow together across the sky. “The image serves as a powerful metaphor for the Women’s Circus community, where individuals move collectively, supporting one another and creating something larger than themselves. As performers work together, they embody the idea of many people acting as one body while still retaining their individual identities and stories.”
The production also incorporates an original soundscape and live music, adding further depth and atmosphere to the storytelling experience.
More than an anniversary celebration, Murmuration is a reflection on the power of community, resilience and collective creativity. It honours the thousands of people who have passed through Women’s Circus over the past three and a half decades while looking forward to the organisation’s future.
In a rapidly changing world, Women’s Circus continues to demonstrate the importance of spaces where people can gather, take creative risks and belong. Through circus, storytelling and shared experience, it shows how communities can build strength, confidence and connection together, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the stage.
Terri Soumilas is a local western suburbs resident, who is committed to local issues, global politics, and gets annoyed that people don’t care about what’s going on in the world around them. In the meantime, Terri makes sure that she does her best to be involved, happy and connected.
