Crying Out Loud helps to establish PASS Circus Channel, a European cross channel contemporary circus programme grouping eight organisations from north western France to southern England.

Its first phase, Cross Spring was a pilot collaboration focusing on contemporary circus on both sides of the Channel. During a week dedicated to British work at Cherbourg’s creation centre La brèche, six companies were given rehearsal time in its extraordinary facilities. Their residencies concluded in a mini series of UK work within La brèche’s larger Spring season. The UK companies that presented work were Layla Rosa, Upswing, Sugar Beast Circus, Acrojou, Genius Sweatshop and Ockham’s Razor.

In the UK, the PASS organisations are SeaChange Arts, Activate Performing Arts, Lighthouse Poole and Farnham Maltings. In France they are: La brèche, Cirque Jules Verne, La Rennaissance and Conseille Général-50 Villes en Scenes.

In 2013 we begin to see the benefits to the UK artists who have been involved in PASS, with 18 UK based companies visiting La brèche and Normandy for residencies, training and opportunities to present their work in Europe.

Watch a video featuring Stopgap Dance Company in residency with Collectif Prêt-à-Porter at Farnham Maltings