About
Freya Watson is an accomplished circus artist and expert aerial specialist. Her passion and specialist skill is Cloud Swing and she also performs Doubles Trapeze, Silk Swing, Rope, Harness, Wall Running, Bungee, Hoop and Silks.
Working in the industry for 15 years Freya understands the creative needs and flexibility required to excel in all circus genres. She is a strong performer and brings a wealth of physical theatre and rigging expertise to enhance her work.
Freya studied at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Circomedia before training with Russian Cloud Swing coaches Roman Fedin and Victor Fomine. She is a specialist circus rigger and has IRATA level 1. She also makes bespoke cotton covered aerial ropes for discerning aerialists and teaches Cloud Swing classes which are tailored to each individuals expertise.
During cloud swing, various parts of my body were grasped by the rich and famous as they watched in sheer awe – Tori Amos’ particular highlight
'Freya is one of those rare people who can both perform with great artistry, style and presence and is a brilliant technician in rigging as well as one of the most solid and graceful counterweighter’s we have had the pleasure to work with'.
‘The doubles trapeze from freya watson and lyndall merry is breathtaking, drawing audible gasps from below as the turn and tangle together’. Fringe Review by Claire Simpson of NoFit State Circus' Bianco, 2013
Skills
Cloud Swing
The simplistic beauty of Freya’s dynamic Cloud Swing is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Her strength and natural elegance will demand your full attention, as you watch the impossible become possible. Prepare to be mesmerised as this incredible act transports you to a place of suspended motion where each new trick builds into a breathtaking finale.
Trained by the world’s top swinging coaches, Victor Fomine in Montreal and Roman Fedin in Brussels, Freya has a passion in developing the latest standards and techniques in swinging.
“An uplifting and breathtaking performance that fills the highest of spaces with movement and flight.” Cirque Bijou.
“During Cloud Swing, various parts of my body were grasped by the rich and famous as they watched in sheer awe – Tori Amos’ particular highlight”. Angus Mackechnie, The Royal National Theatre, London.
Counterweighting
Working with Nofit State Circus, the world leaders in Counterweighting, since 2007, Freya is a highly skilled Counterweighter, using her weight and acrobatic grace to effortlessly fly solo aerialists. She performed as a lead Counterweighter for the solo rope act in ‘Labyrinth’ and in August Dakteris’ Straps act in ‘Bianco'.
Doubles Trapeze
Freya has performed Doubles Trapeze with Lyndall Merry since 2006. They produce a strong and unique style, performing for touring show’s, cabarets and corporate events. In NoFit States ‘Bianco’ production they developed a unique act on a tipping counterweighted frame. Both artists share a passion and interest in developing the latest standards and techniques in their discipline and working as a team they support each other in every aspect of their work from performance to rigging, training and coaching
‘A trapeze pair performing a heart-catching duet is just one of the highlights’. Nofit State Circus ‘Bianco’ Metro 2013.
‘A Doubles Trapeze routine becomes a sensual song of heart break and consolation’. Camaron Woodhead, Nofit State Circus ‘Bianco’, 2014 Perth.
‘Lyndall Merry and Freya Watson’s intimate tangle on Doubles Trapeze have a devil-may-care edge of abandon that is a pure pleasure to behold’. Nofit State Circus ‘Bianco’, Listed Edinburgh.
Harness
Freya is an experienced Harness specialist, adding her rigging experience to a serious head for heights freya is perfect for any Harness work. Performing Wall Running, Bungees, double and single point Harness and Counterweighting.
She has performed Harness for countless shows, here a few of Freya’s highlights; she has performed all types of Harness, plus extreme Bungee drops with NoFit State Circus; flown 35 meters high and been a human catherine wheel in Azerbaijan for The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games; abseiled down the walls of the London Palladium with High Performance for Sister Act the musical; continues to perform synchronised duets on single point Harness with pyrotechnics shooting off her shoes, plus Bungee drops, double point Harness, crowd abductions and C02 gas propelled spins with Arcadia Spectacular.
Rigging
Freya has worked as a rigger in the circus industry since 2008 and is trained in IRATA level one. Working as a performer and rigger for Nofit State Circus, the world leaders in creative performance rigging, she has developed an imaginative approach that supports performers.
She works as a rigger for The National Center for Circus Arts, for Twoform Ltd rigging Swarovski chandeliers, has suspending Ellie Golding for Glamour Magazine, is a performance rigger for Arcadia Spectacular driving a 6m mechanical spider 9m above the audience whilst delicately transporting and descending performers suspended below. Freya also carries out rigging inspections for The National Center for Circus Arts, Circomedia, Nofit State Circus and Arcadia Spectacular.
Other Skills Include: Silk Swing, Corde Lisse, Silks, Hoop, Web and Trapeze.
Freya performs solo and ensemble Corde Lisse, Silks, Hoop, Web and Trapeze for corporate events, parties and cabarets. These have included the Morrison’s conference, Westfield Stratford opening, Best Parties Every, Cirque Du Celebrity, ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’ Bollywood Movie and Incandescence.
She has performed ensemble Rope and Silks for Nofit State Circus in ImMortal and continues performing these acts for one off high profile appearances, most recently ensemble rope for the Heritage Lottery Fund in Cardiff Museum.
In 2006 Freya developed a new piece of kit called a Silk Swing, using the principles of Cloud Swing but using 2 lengths of fabric instead of a rope. She was lucky to receive support for aerial coach Mike Wright in technical development. It’s a beautiful dynamic skill that combines power and grace.
