Hoxton Grille

Liverpool Echo October 21st, 2008

THERE is a moment in the final season 0f Sex And The City where our' heroine Carrie stands on the platlorm 0f a flIying trapeze and cannot let go.

In the end, she concludes that having her three friends cheering from the sidelines proves that whether or not she jumps Into the unknown, she will always have a safety net in life.
It's an episode which i love because it shows Carrie attempting somelhing which i have always wanted to do.
If SATC didn't exactly get me hooked on the idea of trapeze (that was many years earlier watching glamorous old Hollywood movies). it did rem ind me not to give up on one of the few ambitions I have. The difficulty is, there isn't a circus on every doorstep.
But where there's a will- and the internet­ there's a way. And that way is Circus Space, the UK's premier circus training centre.
Based in a converted Victorian power station in Hoxton, at the heart of london's East End. it offers everything from degrees in circus to a youth programme, evening classes and employee team-building sessions.
What I was keen on, though was its circus Skill fun days: or In my case half-days. These are available either through the centre Itself, or if you want to buy or receive one as a gift ­ through Red Letter Days.
Of course being in London, and as courses are held on saturdays, it makes sense to combine one with a weekend In the capital.
Hoxton, luckily, is just about aS trendy as you can get right now, filled as it is with independent cafes, restaurants, bars and galleries. So it isn't exactly a hardship to spend a little extra time there. especially when one of London's coolest, quirkiest hotels just happens to be on the doorstep. The Hoxton hotel is just a few minute'S walk from Circus Space, and on a direct Tube line from Euston. But that's about the only predictable aspect about this venue. which styles itself as "London's original budget urban lodge". working a bizarre but fabulous combination of open fires, bare brick walls, neon strip lighting and original art installations.
Everything about the hoxton makes you smile,from the huge-headed power showers and sinking duck down duvets, to the brown bag Pret a Manager room service breakfast, fresh complimentary milk in the mini bar and the cute notes to guests which each begin 'Boring sign number.'
Dawn Collinson visits the capital to achieve a lifelong ambition
So it was here that a friend and I spent the Friday evening, dining at the buzzing adjoining Hoxton Grille. Why venture out on a wet night, when there's a fantastic restaurant under the same roof? EVeryone seemed to agree, and given the exceptionally high Quality of the fOod. and the lively atmosphere, it was easy to see why.
In the morning, after psyching myself up over the Pret brekkie, it was time to head off to Circus Space.
On arrival everyOne looked worryingly fit and lithe. so I was relieved to discover several other total novices.
Split into random groups of eight to tackle each of the day's four disciplines, we became each other's instant cheerleaders.
Our group began with the trapeze, which - as we were each strapped into waist harnesses .. suddenly seemed higher than imagined.
Not to worry Our instructor, a former professional trapeze artist herself, was clear in her instructions. We would climb the ladder; stand on the platform with another instructor and a fellow student, and be attached to the ropes.
"Then," she said, calmly, "place one hand on the bar, I will count to three and you place the other hand on while stepping off the platform. Do not hesitate:'
Which, Obviously. was easier said than done.
But, like Carrie,l had my (albeit newly acquired) supporters.As we each took a turn, encouraging applause sounded until it was my go I stood on the platform and ran through the instructions in my head. And then, before i lost my nerve I grabbed and stepped ... and swung through the air.
Maybe it wasn't with the greatest of ease,but It was as near as I could have hoped.
After a second circuit on the trapeze. we moved around to the other three challenges: human pyramid (hilarious), tight wire walking (very trickY), juggling (utterly hopeless!).
But by the end, despite an alarming lack of Co-cordinatlon with even twO balls, i didn't care. We were having such a good time.
The morning session actually lasted more than three hours, but it flew by.
By 2pm I'd ticked off a box on my 'things to do in life'list and it was every bit as brilliant as I'd hoped.