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Introduce yourselves: who are you and when did you start collaborating?

still hungry is a contemporary circus collective from Berlin. We are three mothers (Romy, Anke and Lena) who reunited after years of friendship to create pieces far from classical circus. Our work is fresh, feminist and powerful. Strong images and a good sense of humour make our work truthfully touching. In 2017 we created our first show Raven, a moving, honest but also very amusing show about modern motherhood. Our new production Show Pony premiered at the Chamäleon Theatre in Berlin in February 2024.

What inspired you to create your new show Show Pony?

The difficulty of ageing in an industry that is consumed by youth and physical performance inspired us to have a deeper investigation about our own past and future. The fact that there are not a lot of female circus performers older than 35 made us examine missing role models for women after a certain age on stage. We wanted to create a show that challenges norms and pushes boundaries of narrative in circus.

What has the creation process been like with Bryony Kimmings? How do you work together and is it significantly different than creating other work in the past?

Our creative work with Bryony starts with a question or a subject that seems to affect us at the moment. We have conversations, interviews, collect ideas and do research by watching movies, listening to podcasts, and reading books concerning this topic. The next step is to find a physical approach through circus. We then reevaluate our ideas and check if we are heading in the right direction, digging deeper into the topic. We look at what the personal approach is for each of us with the chosen subject and where the universal essence is. Bryony is amazing at supporting us in using circus skill in a way that serves the storyline, always gently pushing us to leave our comfort zone.

Has making this show given you a different outlook on ageing as a female acrobat?

Of course, it helps us deal with the topic in all its facets and talk to other female artists and exchange experiences. We are convinced that many women have to deal with similar fears and it helps to have an open dialogue about them. Our bodies have changed over the years, but we see it as a challenge to explore new creative ways. Show Pony has given us the confidence to continue and believe in our work on and off stage. We have stuff to say and that won’t change any time soon 🙂

What advice would you give to young women who are about to embark on their circus careers?

Trust yourself and your limits. Stay open and try to soak in many different experiences.

What about more established female circus performers who are also wondering “what comes next”?

It is worth the effort to go against the rules and continue as a performer as long as you want to.

What should audiences expect from Show Pony? Why should they come to see it?

Show Pony is part circus show, part training session, part open heart surgery, it’s an unguarded look at a life onstage and the gut wrenching moment when that stage no longer wants you. Past, present and imagined futures intersect in a myriad of moments as the three women try to decide about how to keep going, or even if they should.

Packed full of love, laughter and lunacy, Show Pony is another joyful scream into the face of the patriarchy that challenges us to question our societal prejudices towards age and femininity, onstage and off.

Show Pony arrives at Jacksons Lane on Saturday 2 March. Book your tickets here.