East Sussex School of Circus Arts (ESSCA), based at Knockhatch Adventure Park, celebrated its Graduation Success with an uplifting showcase of emerging circus talent, featuring performances from both first- and second-year students and the presentation of major student awards.
The event brought together families, supporters and respected guests from across the circus and screen industries, highlighting ESSCA’s commitment to high-quality training, creativity, resilience and inclusive progression routes for young performers.
Student performances
The showcase featured a strong line-up of aerial and floor acts.
First-year aerial performances included:
- Cazimi — Aerial Pole
- Lilimae — Trapeze
- Courtney — Aerial Hoop
- Imogen — Hammock
Second-year floor acts included:
- Stephanie — Chinese Chair
- Alisha — Rolla Bolla
- Summer — Hand Canes
Awards presented to 1st years
A number of awards were presented to recognise outstanding achievement and character.
- Best Creativity Performance — awarded to Cazimi, presented by Lydia Harper
- Resilience Award (Circus Friends Association) — awarded to Imogen, presented by Mike Taylor
- Best Aerial Act — awarded to Courtney, presented by Attila Endresz (John Lawsons Circus)
- Student of the Year (Moonlight Dreams) — awarded to Lilimae, presented by Raymond Dadswell (Deputy)
Guest judges and special guests
ESSCA welcomed a panel of guest judges and special guests, including:
- Lydia Harper — Artistic Director at Cirque du Soleil, currently working on OVO
- Daniel Fathers — Actor (The Ark as Captain Zed Avega; HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 as Lord Humfrey Lefford; also known for The Dark Tower and the Camp Rock films)
- Kenny — Former aerial silks and Wheel of Death artist; now manager at Paulos Circus
- Mike Taylor — President of the Circus Friends Association
- Atitila Endresz – 7th generation circus artist and producer from the well-known Endresz Family Representing John Lawson’s Circus
About the guest judges 2026
Lydia Harper
Lydia Harper is an Artistic Director at Cirque du Soleil and is currently working on their show OVO — a spectacular production featuring a dazzling array of characters who just happen to be bugs. Lydia is also a professional circus artist, theatre and circus director, and coach.
She trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts (BA in Circus Arts), East 15 Acting School (MA in Theatre Directing), and the Open University (Foundation Degree in Leadership Management). Lydia has worked extensively around the world and is currently touring internationally with Cirque du Soleil.
Daniel Fathers
Daniel Fathers is a series regular on The Ark as Captain Zed Avega and appeared in HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 as Lord Humfrey Lefford. He is also known for roles in the Camp Rock films and Series Regular in the UK’s #1 Fantasy show on Amazon ‘The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin’
Mike Taylor
Mike Taylor is President of the Circus Friends Association. He recalls first visiting a circus at around seven or eight years old, when his parents took him to Chipperfield Circus’ Christmas show at Bingley Hall, Birmingham. While his interest faded during his teens, it was rekindled around forty years later — and has remained a lasting passion.
Attila Endresz
Attila Endresz is a 7th generation circus artist and producer from the well-known Endresz Family. After touring internationally with his unicycle act — including Japan, UAE, USA and across Europe — Attila became a highly respected ringmaster with over 20 years’ experience in the UK.
His credits include The Blackpool Tower, The Circus of Horrors, Zippos Circus and John Lawsons Circus, as well as producing entertainment for Qudos, Haven Holidays and Bunn Leisure.
Kenny – Kenny Darnell Jnr –
7th Generation Circus Showman and Manager at Paulos Circus which has been touring the country since 1816 and is still owned and run by the Darnell family. Kenny started his performing career on the aerial silks and straps before moving on to the Wheel of Death. Appearing in Simon Cowell’s Red or Black and ITV’s The Circus. Since stepping back from performing, Kenny now manages, produces and helps run their traditional family circus.
Founder and Principal
Renato Pires is the Founder and Principal of East Sussex School of Circus Arts (ESSCA), a specialist circus arts centre and sixth form college based at Knockhatch Adventure Park in Hailsham. A producer, actor and agent with a background spanning live performance and film, Renato created ESSCA to give young people and adults access to high-quality, inclusive circus training in the South East. Under his leadership, ESSCA has developed a strong reputation for professional teaching, rigorous safety standards, and a supportive environment for neurodiverse and all-ability students. He also leads partnerships, course development and student progression, helping performers build real-world skills for careers across circus, theatre, screen and events.
Photo Attached: Photography Credit: TKphotography
ESSCA
East Sussex School of Circus Arts (ESSCA) is a specialist circus arts centre and sixth form college based at Knockhatch Adventure Park, Hailsham. ESSCA offers training across aerial, acrobatics and performance disciplines, supporting young people to develop both technical excellence and professional readiness.