International burlesque darling Amelie Soleil & acrobat supreme Edd Muir present

FRAYED KNOT, a circus & cabaret experience for the 21st Century.

Death defying acrobatics, enchanting & entrancing burlesque, sideshow skills presented with aplomb, girls in jars, men on lamposts plus fire, death* and more!!

‘Hottest couple in showbiz. Brings a tear to my thigh..’

Cherry Loco,

Newcastle based circus and cabaret company Frayed Knot are welcoming in 2011 with a world-class itinerary. Finally honing the individual talents of Edd Muir and Amelie Soleil, Frayed Knot are a hugely in demand headlining duo throughout Europe.

As solo artists, Edd is nationally acclaimed for his innovative work on the Chinese Pole whilst Amelie is known to audiences internationally as a vaudeville dancer, aerialist and ‘The Girl in The Jar’. Their residency in Germany in 2010 allowed for the development of double acts including juggling & acrobatics, bullwhips and knife throwing.

A truly dedicated group, their inspired hard work pays off. If these two had occurred a century ago, then they would surely be the King and Queen of the era they so beautifully pay homage to.

Debased Magazine, July 2010

Developing their work back home in Newcastle, Frayed Knot originally trained at circus school in Bristol following a grant from Arts Council North East. They have since worked in conjunction with circus companies in the region and nationally to raise the profile and quality of performance.

In 2009, Frayed Knot co-founded Northern Street Arts with visual artist Joe Price and acrobats Dream State Circus. The NSA then went on to produce a summer festival on Newcastle Quayside that brought over 5,000 people to the final Sunday event – a full day of street performers, acrobatics, workshops and children’s activities including workshops with Live Youth Theatre. After a hugely successful 2nd year in 2010, Northern Street Arts hope to come back bigger and better in 2011, Frayed Knot plan to visit & research similar events in Europe before their summer season.

Known locally for performances in Cabaret Excentrique at The Sage, Midnight Circus at Northern Stage and Jeepers Peepers at The Cluny, Frayed Knot are looking forward to their worldwide adventures; a few days back in Newcastle in May will be followed by performances in London, Spain, Middlesbrough, Paris and Milan.

Acts Include:

Amelie & Edd offer specialised acts, including ‘Girl in The Jar’ also available as a ‘sit-about’, burlesque & double whip vaudeville.

DUO ACTS:

‘In a dark dark night‘

Wandering the dark streets of London, Miss Soleil encounters an all-together fickle rascal. Could it be the phantom raspberry blower of Old London Town or the much more rapey Victor Von Boom Boom? A Victorian delight that has optional steampunk styled elements showcasing FK’s bullwhip and target skills.

‘Anything you can do…’

The beautiful fan dance of a 50′s starlet is interrupted by the downright rude entrance of greaser Muir. Pushing each-other through one up manship before fatefully perhaps falling in love, FK present a juggling & acrobatic treat.

Commissioned for The Hotrod Hayride Festival, August 2010

[Click on images to enlarge]

SOLO

‘Vertical Blues’
Edd Muir performs his signature Chinese Pole act as seen in variety theatres worldwide. To a beautiful live commissioned orchestral recording, Edd tells a tale of lost love, unfulfilled dreams, hope and helplessness. A wonderful, acrobatic athleticism brings this piece to a bright & hopeful conclusion whilst delighting & astounding audience members of all ages.

‘Diet Coke Man’ A pastiche parody of the iconic advert, Edd’s most in demand act, requested specifically to headline festival cabarets at the Spiegal Tent. Strength, comedy, naughtiness & Etta James, all wrapped up in a white tshirt & blue jeans.

‘Cut to the Chase’ Gentle, sweet Amelie wanders through a haunted house before taking comfort in a strangely light bottle of wine. Finding more than she expected in the bottle, Amelie accidentally swallows several razorblades before having to fish them out using only a tiny cotton thread… magic, freakshow & burlesque all wrapped in some twisted little bundle.