Hull is to gain its very own circus school thanks to the hard work, determination and passion of a local teacher and performer.
The Late Night Circus is the brainchild of Danielle Clements, who has been teaching circus skills, pole dancing and aerial movement to adults and children for many years. Opening on Monday 5 September, the new venue will create a dedicated space for circus training classes from foundation level upwards.
Danielle said: “The Late Night Circus is a place for professionals and amateurs alike. We’ll host a range of classes for adults that focus on different levels of ability and experience, making it accessible to all.”
The Late Night Circus is located on the first floor of 3 Dansom Lane South, just off the junction of Holderness Road and Witham in East Hull. Once a boarding school, the historic building has been thoroughly converted to make it fit for purpose. Danielle and her team are now all set to offer vibrant and energetic classes to students and visitors from across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Originally from Mansfield, Danielle moved to Hull thirteen years ago to study a degree and soon made the city her new home. Since then, she founded multidisciplinary entertainment company Aba Daba Circus as a platform for teaching children and young people circus skills from a beginner level. The new venue will provide a long-term home for the organisation, as well as new adult classes through The Late Night Circus.
“I always wanted to open a skill sharing space,” said Danielle. “There were no floor-based circus classes for adults in Hull, so I decided the only solution was to launch them myself. They proved very popular, especially after the lockdown, and in many ways they became like a support group that provided a much-needed social experience.
“The Late Night Circus builds on this format and ethos, in that it’s a permanent safe space to try, fail, try again and gradually improve. It’s somewhere that adults can play, be silly and forget their worries for a few hours, making it as much about wellbeing as it is about learning a new skill.”
The Late Night Circus will also place a strong focus on its local community. A scholarship scheme called The Oli Fund was founded by Danielle in memory of her friend Oliver Walton. The scheme is designed to support people who may struggle to afford classes by offering a limited number of free places and includes a ‘pay it forward’ option for anyone who would like to contribute. There will also be subsidised prices for Aba Daba Circus children’s classes, as well as a travel budget during the first three months to improve accessibility through free buses and taxis.
The organisation will also work with local charities such as Preston Road Women’s Centre, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Hull LGBTQIA+ Forum, offering complimentary classes to people who may otherwise not have the opportunity.
Danielle added: “Circus is for everyone and I want to bring it to everyone. This space has been a long time coming and I can’t wait to welcome people from all walks of life through its doors.”
