Lancaster artiste joins world famous circus

Holly Johnstone will join the world famous travelling circus show – dubbed the largest theatrical producers in the world.

A former pupil at Turning Point Theatre Arts in Lancaster, 24-year-old Holly auditioned for Cirque du Soleil a few months ago and has just found out she has been accepted to be a performing artiste with the cast.

Holly, who has been nominated for The Visitor’s Sunshine Entertainment Award in 2016, now has to wait for an opening in the Cirque show and that could be anywhere in the world.

Holly said “My first ever dream was to be a part of Cirque Du Soleil and now I’ve been accepted to perform with them. It’s an overused phrase but it is literally my dream come true”.

In the meantime she’s jetting off to Dubai to perform in a show, in a new theme park there.

Holly’s breathtaking acrobatic abilities were showcased on ‘Tumble’, the prime time Saturday night programme. Partnering Ian ‘H’ Watkins from the 90s pop group Steps, she went all the way to final, finishing as runner up.

Since then she has worked in Manchester doing an aerial hoop and hand balancing act.

She has just come back from Jordan where she was working as a Yellow Power Ranger as well as successfully auditioning for Marvel Universe Live Superheroes Assemble Arena Tour which is producing soon.

However, she still finds time to come back to her home in Morecambe Road and help at her old school as a teacher and creative choreographer.

Run by her aunt, Gail Johnstone, the Turning Point Theatre Arts School is on Lancaster Leisure Park and teaches dance, drama, gymnastics and acrobatic disciplines including aerial work and ballet.

Holly hopes that coming back to teach at the school will motivate some of the younger pupils to follow their dreams.

She said: “At the moment all the media focus is about standards in English and Maths, the SATs tests and the recent strike by parents. Gail and I want to encourage children to excel in all areas of their studies and that includes physical education too, with dance and gymnastics”.

Gail said: “The children recognise Holly from the television and are delighted to be taught by her when she’s back. Holly is extremely generous with her time and talent and has helped me with a number of charity events on behalf of Turning Point. She is a true inspiration who proves that if you’re passionate about something, and work hard, anything is possible. I’m so proud of her and can’t wait to see her on opening night”.

Holly first came to prominence as a teenager and was the winner of Lancaster and Morecambe Newspapers’ Talent on Show event in 2008.

She will find out this Friday if she has won the Sunshine Entertainment Award at The Visitor’s Sunshine Ball at the Midland Hotel in Morecambe.