A rehearsal room with a giant steel wheel in the background. There are three performers on it: a white woman hanging on by her arms, a white man who uses a wheelchair held up in the air by some black straps, a young white man with thin legs folded below his body who also holds himself up with his arms and above him a mixed-race woman with one leg straight and the other bent and pressing on the outer side of the steel wheel. In the foreground, a Black man holds onto the wheel while standing on the floor and looks at the performers on the wheel. A white woman on the right sits on a stool and plays the ukulele. On the left, a white man in an electric wheelchair holds a custom-made guitar that fits on his lap.

About Us

Listen to the audio version
Watch the BSL version

A world of possibility.

We create powerful performances that celebrate our vast potential as humans. Exploring a vibrant mix of circus, dance, theatre, and music, we tell meaningful stories that question the value of our bodies and give a voice to those who are often silenced.

Extraordinary Bodies is a vital collaboration between show-makers, Cirque Bijou, and Diverse City, a charity that champions diversity and equity in the performing arts. Collectively, we create a unique and magical space where diverse bodies are embraced, boundaries are broken, and inclusivity is championed. Bringing together the skill and talent of D/deaf, disabled, and non-disabled artists, our work is testament to how diverse, extraordinary people can work equally together on and off stage.

We empower the next generation of performers through Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists. Our flagship performing arts training company for disabled and non-disabled 16- to 30-year-olds makes experimental, and thought-provoking work, which is performed across the UK.

Powered by passion and purpose, we rely on the support of public funding, charitable giving* and trusts, and foundations. Every show is made possible by people who share our belief in inspiring a fairer and more inclusive world.

Extraordinary Bodies. Circus for Every Body.

* Administered by charity, Diverse City.

Donate to support our work

Meet the team

Extraordinary Bodies is a company of artist activists. This collaboration between colleagues from Cirque Bijou and Diverse City brings together an exciting array of creative minds, artists, theatre practitioners, musicians, writers and crew. Click on the people below to find out more.

Photo credits: top cover photo by Pul Blakemore, headshots by Chelsey Cliff, Andre Pattenden and Dom Moore.
Audio version voiceover by Angela Moore.

Headshot of Billy: a tall, slim, white man in his fifties with curly hair.
Billy Alwen
Co-Artistic Director
Headshot of Claire: a fifty year old white woman with shoulder-length brown hair, a pierced nose and pierced ears, green eyes, a rosy complexion, a big smile, and her own teeth (so far).
Claire Hodgson
Co-Artistic Director
Jamie Beddard
Lead Artist
Becky Chapman
Executive Director, Diverse City
Geraldine Giddings
Geraldine Giddings
Executive Director, Cirque Bijou
Beryl is a young Black woman with a bright smile. She has long braids, their top half is black and their lower half is white. She wears a cream jumper and is posing in front of a teal background.
Beryl Dzambo
Marketing Manager for Waldo's Circus of Magic and Terror
Hattie: a white woman in her fifties with long blonde hair and a fringe, thick black secretary-style glasses and a colourful shirt. She smiles brightly.
Hattie Naylor
Associate Artist
Headshot of Grace, a Black woman with dark brown eyes and hair pinned back tightly on her head. She wears a black tank top and black eyeliner above her eyes.
Grace Okereke
Digital Producer
Eilís Davis
Artistic Director for Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists
Alice Chutter
Producer
Rachel Pender-Cudlip
Associate Producer
Liz Craig
Diverse City Finance Director
Karina Jones
Access Consultant
David Ellington
Access Consultant
Roz Stewart-Hall
Evaluation Consultant
Jess Edney
Connecting Communities Access Lead