It’s that time of the year again! As we all get ready to welcome the new year 2026, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on how far we have come in the world of contemporary circus and immersive arts in the UK.
Throughout 2025, we stayed true to our goals of being an extraordinary circus, celebrating community and co creation, nurturing sector leadership and championing social justice. From local workshops in Splott to world class contemporary circus and physical theatre performances across Europe, we had a happening year!
Community and social justice
Across winter, spring and summer, Four Elms buzzed with free circus, craft and play sessions for local families, from half term activities to a summer holiday programme delivered with community partners in Splott, Adamsdown and Tremorfa.
Weekly after school circus sessions, Welsh language workshops and creative projects such as Celf Cymraeg and Foreigner In My Body nurtured local talent, amplified new voices and deepened a shared commitment to social justice and co creation. ICATs (Inclusive Circus Arts Teachers) also delivered circus in schools, refugee organisations and housing associations, using playful, skills based workshops to build confidence, connection and inclusion.
Extraordinary circus on tour
SABOTAGE had an international year, finishing its 2024 winter tour at the Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque in Marseille. It then kicked off the 2025 tour to Hereford, Basingstoke, Galway, Cornwall and finally a triumphant hometown run in Cardiff, playing to thousands of people.
Outdoor spectacular BAMBOO successfully performed around the UK and Europe, with performances from Peterborough to La Strada in Austria, Sziget Festival in Budapest and major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Greenbelt and IF: Milton Keynes, showcasing large scale immersive arts and physical theatre outdoors.
Alongside these tours, casting labs, creative residencies and rehearsals began for a brand new Big Top show set to tour from 2026, keeping the company’s future programme bold, ambitious and firmly rooted in contemporary circus.
Climate action and infrastructure
At home in Adamsdown, NoFit State invested in greener, more accessible spaces by installing 49 solar panels and a new platform lift at Four Elms, with support from our funders.
The company co created Ichi ’N’Chatu with Circus Zambia and Zukani Action Zambia, connecting circus, climate action and social justice through international collaboration.
Moreover, we attended the UK Bamboo Summit in Stoke on Trent along with other practitioners, researchers and partners from around the world to explore sustainable bamboo design and performance for outdoor, immersive arts projects.
Skills, wellbeing and sector leadership
Throughout the year, community members, staff and partners took part in training ranging from youth work and first aid to specialist rescue skills, strengthening safe, confident practice across projects and tours. Workshops on mental health resilience, resisting polarisation and using circus to support wellbeing helped shape a more inclusive, connected local programme.
Our team also contributed to national sector conversations at events such as the FRESH Street Circostrada Conference and Circus Change Up, ensuring contemporary circus and physical theatre voices from Wales and the wider UK are present in key industry spaces.
Celebrations and looking ahead
From the AGM cabaret ‘Spring in Wales’ to Gwyl Parc Fest – Common Ground and a 30 year celebration with Splott Community Volunteers, the year was punctuated by joyful gatherings made by and for local people.
New classes, world record breaking feats and community cabarets showcased the growing skills of participants, culminating in a festive end of year sharing where class members performed for friends and family.
With plans now in place for the 2026 BAMBOO tour and new Big Top show, we head into the next year with energy, purpose and a firmly rooted sense of community, continuing to grow contemporary circus and immersive arts in the UK.
Love a good visual story? Tap below to open our illustrated 2025 Highlights Timeline and see the shows, community projects and record breaking moments come to life.
