Don’t drop it, it's not hot! Juggling fever hits Canterbury

Strolling down the busy high street in Canterbury on a sunny day, Rosanne spotted Coco juggling on the sidewalk. She kept gazing at the colorful balls that he tossed in the air. Cascade, fountain, shower and columns, they all looked amazing to her. She had seen him perform before and felt it would be polite to show a token of her appreciation. But in the same time, she found herself in a peculiar situation as she could not help asking herself whether it’s polite or not to drop a few coins in his hat :“Am I helping a begger or paying for a show?”

[Coco, juggling in the park]

Since ancient times, juggling shows have been part of many cultures across the world, like Chinese, Indian, Greek and Roman civilizations. In some history books there is mentioned that warriors would display their skill to their enemies, sometimes managing to end a conflict before they even began. Kings and noblemen, in Europe, looking for new ways to be entertained, paid bards and jesters to include juggling acts in their performance along poetry and storytelling.

Throughout the Middle Ages some religious clerics even accused the ones that performed various juggling props (like the diabolo - a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand) of practicing witchcraft.

Today, even though techniques and tricks remain almost the same as 1000 years ago, juggling is still practiced on the streets, in the circus or at home and enjoyed by kids (and adults as well) all over the world. For those who enjoy seeing colourful balls and sticks thrown in the air it might be just o moment of entertainment but for the ones that actually practice it, well, it’s whole culture, a way of expressing oneself.

Ever since I started University in Canterbury, I have coincidentally met quite a few people that performed at least one form of applied juggling and each of them were tremendously fond of it. I found out that it is part of the 21^st century urban culture and it has moved a long way from an act in the circus.

Coco, a 20 year old Romanian student at Canterbury Christ Church University and a master when it comes to the diabolo, introduced me first to “the way of the juggler”. He is very passionate about his hobby and would prefer not to address to his juggling abilities in that manner, stressing the fact that it is more than what you would regularly call a hobby. In Romania and in Poland he took part in several workshops where he taught seven -year olds to juggle and perform tricks. “It’s not just showing off in front of the kids. I went to places where people live in poor villages, don’t have Xboxes or laptops and just try to make them forget about their problems and enjoy the fun of juggling. It just sets you free”. When he does that, he doesn’t ask for any money in return. “The great time I have and the wonderful people I meet, that’s my reward.”.

[The Diabolo]

In the weekends, Coco spends time at Kent University where he practices new tricks along with other juggling fans, part of the Circus Society . The society is something that existed at the Uni for some time, but never really providing anything beneficial. Danny Gray, with a group of friends who were all keen spinners and jugglers tried to form some sort of breakaway group more focused on teaching workshops and putting on display in and around the city. Over the last half year they’ve been doing it on a much bigger scale than ever before.

Members of the old (failing) society at Kent where thankful that Danny took the reigns, as it were and actually tried to do something with the group. He finds it rewarding as “beginners also give positive feedback at the weekly sessions, as well as showing real enthusiasm and drive to learn and develop skills, which is naturally a boost to their own self esteem”.

Danny admits that: “juggling or just generally showing off with any circus skill is in general a great form of expression.” I was impressed to learn about his feelings when it comes to the art itself: “The fusion of creative flair, fluidity and rhythm along with the mental aspects of maths, pshysics and timing which you’re constantly thinking about as you perform, make it not only a great thing for entertainment, but self-expression and self-improvement in terms of coordination”.

If you ever passed the parking spot in front of Laud building, at Christ Church, you probably noticed the green unicycle tied with a red cable to an iron pole. It belongs to Thom Denton, a student that has a plan of setting up the CCCU Circus Society.

“I have people who juggle, about 10 of us so far, but we haven’t registered properly as a society. I hope to find more people within the university who are like minded and enjoy having a good toss about. Hopefully, at a later date, we can get some links going with the Kent Uni Circus Society, as that would be perfect, and could lead to some great collaborative work. I think towards the end of the year a good charity thing could be on the cards if I can think of a way to get it sorted”.

When the bright sun and the good weather invites them out, Thom and Coco enjoy juggling on Canterbury’s high street. “When I juggle in the street I’m not particularly forthcoming with getting crowds around, I generally end up playing music and dancing along whilst doing my juggling” adds Thom. Coco admits you can’t live off juggling on the street, but for a student, having fun and making a few extra pennies is the perfect combination: “There’s nothing wrong with people dropping coins in my hat. Is it strange that people pay for entertainment? Nine out of ten times, I do it for free anyways”.

Thom, a little upset on the people’s perception tries to clear things out: “Street juggling is not begging. Begging involves sitting on your arse, asking for change from people. Street juggling is a way of busking, although it relies on the kindness of strangers in a way, requires skills in that area that you’re performing. For all the people who throw nothing into your hat, you are effectively putting on a free show. Someone will give money to a beggar because they feel that they should, either through shame or guilt. Someone will give money to a busker, however, only if they are impressed in some way by what you are doing”.

But Coco and Tom also managed to earn “real” money by putting out a genuine juggling show. A few months back, the duo featured a performance in one of the most popular pubs in Canterbury, the Jolly Sailor. Well, not exactly inside the pub, as their performance included spitting fire and juggling with flaming sticks. Apart from the occasional “irritably eager” member of the audience who insisted trying to juggle with the burning toys, the clients were very cheerful and appreciative towards the pub’s initiative.

[Thom and Coco outside Jolly Sailor's garden]

If you would like to sign up to a juggling club, don’t hesitate to visit www.jugglingdb.com. They have a list with almost all the societies across the UK. And, if you’re willing to support the future Chirst Church Circus society, feel free to contact Thom Denton.