2004 – date
Dream State Circus was founded in the NE in 2004 by husband and wife duo Sophie & Jacob McGrath when they changed their name from Fairy Fire. Sophie is form North Shields, Jacob from Australia, Their early performances took a street-focus and they used acro-balance, fire and juggling with spoken comedy. They later developed to be in very high demand on the International Busking Festival circuit, traveling all over the world with these and other skills. They based from the Buddle Arts Centre, in Wallsend from 2004 – 8 and were pivotal in inspiring many audiences and artists across the region. They travelled with their motto “Light, Love and Laughter” following the sun, doing alternate festival seasons in the Northern Hemisphere & Australia. Jacob made battery operated sound systems from the Buddle workshop – the systems were very loud.
They had a vehicle mounted aerial rig on their Ford Transit van painted with red flames – the rig formerly belonged to Bell & Bullock. Sophie was also an aerialist, they also had a cabaret act was based on “Moulin Rouge” the film by Baz Luhrman. They developed a Buskers festival in Newcastle, Hip Hat Hooray with Black Box and Streets of Play in Durham. By 2009 they had moved to Australia more permanently working the international buskers circuit, including Canada. The North East collaborations have continued in Australia with Let’s Circus & Charlie Carpenter.
