Introducing the New Authors Commission recipient 2025–26: Jean-Daniel Broussé
The New Authors network is thrilled to announce Jean-Daniel Broussé as the 2025-26 New Author for the development of his project [Insert Here].
[Insert Here] is a lecture-performance exploring the history, stigma, and cultural weight of sodomy. Drawing on theory, lived experience and movement, the piece gives form to the hidden, turning shame into language, and taboo into connection.
The panel were excited by the language of the project, the mix of classical and contemporary references – including painting and music – and the fusion of physicality, humour and political commitment.
Nicole A’Court-Stuart, Artistic Director of Circus City who chaired discussions said:
“We are excited to support Jean-Daniel as a mid-career artist, well known for his work with Barely Methodical Troupe and Nikki & JD, whose developing voice as an author and his desire to challenge his practice – as well as social norms – has much potential. We look forward to going on this journey with him and the opportunities for connection, development and discussion the project offers.”
[Insert Here] marks a new phase in Jean-Daniel’s authorship: more research-driven, text-forward, and participatory. In developing [Insert Here], Jean-Daniel will expand the way he writes, moves and performs.
The central figure in the piece, a queer academic clown, tries to deliver a serious lecture, but his ‘expert’ authority is derailed by the body, the breath, and awkwardness. The acrobatic body is used to explore tension, resistance and vulnerability. Movement becomes a form of questioning, supporting or undermining the text in real time. This is a circus where the fall is intellectual, the trick is honesty, and the clown is both fool and professor. It’s messy, embodied, uncomfortable, and deeply queer. While the piece speaks directly to queer audiences and draws from queer experience, sodomy – as an act, as a fear, as a metaphor – crosses gender, identity and orientation.
Based between London and Marseille, Jean-Daniel Broussé studied literature and history at Bordeaux III and UCL London, before training at the National Centre for Circus Arts, London, where he developed a distinctly multidisciplinary approach to performance.
His first show, Knot, co-created with Nikki Rummer, earned international acclaim, winning Best Circus Show at the Total Theatre Awards and a Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He went on to create his first solo autobiographical work, (Le/The) Pain, in collaboration with Ursula Martinez, which premiered at the London International Mime Festival in 2022.
Jean-Daniel Broussé is New Author 2025-26, a UK network commission supporting innovation and research in contemporary circus. As commission recipient, JD is awarded £6,000 seed funding and producer support to develop [Insert Here] in 2026, with priority given to programming the finished work at the partner venues and platforms in 2027.
New Authors is led by Circus City, in partnership with Cirkus Syd, Crying Out Loud, Jacksons Lane, Lakeside Arts, Out There Arts, Take Art, The Lowry and Worthing Theatres and Museum and is supported by Arts Council England West of England Combined Authority and The Garrick Charitable Trust.
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