CAST & CREATIVE

KSENIA ARCHER

HIGH WIRE, PERCH POLE & PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Ksenia started her wire walking journey at 7 years old, when she first fell in love with a wire walking troupe and from that moment she decided that the circus would be her career. She went on to train with some of the world's leading wire walkers before starting to perform internationally herself. Outside the circus ring, her hobbies include: reading, writing and modelling.

KRISTAPS PAVLOVS

JUGGLING, CLOWN & TENT MASTER Born into the circus life, he took his first steps onstage at just 3 years old—and never looked back. By 16, he was performing professionally, dazzling audiences with everything from juggling and cigar boxes to whip cracking, fire magic, and lightning-fast quick changes. Restless and fearless, he's always chasing the next skill to master. Off the stage, he fuels his adrenaline with long-distance running and cycling—because slowing down just isn't in his nature.

SERHIY VALKIV

CLOWN & TECHNICAL CREW Originally from Ukraine he learnt his circus trade and graduated from the Moscow Circus School. He is a well seasoned traveller and has worked in the UK as an artist and also as a tent master over the last 10 years. As a former circus artist and clown his knowledge of the circus industry is vast, and this has helped him as he has transitioned to an equally important role behind the scenes.

Stas Tkachenko

Aerial Straps With a background in professional sport, he became a Master of Sports of Ukraine in acrobatics at 15. After retiring, he pursued circus arts to combine athleticism with artistry. Starting in airtrack acrobatics, he won prizes at international festivals. He later met his partner Luna, and together they created a duo straps act featured in the show.

Luna Valkiv

Aerial Straps She graduated from the Academy of Circus Arts in Verona, specializing in aerial straps and hand balancing. She has performed in the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands, winning a public nomination award. Also trained in fashion, she enjoys creating costumes and makeup. She speaks four languages. After working with Circus Cortex and a year in Austria, she reunited with her partner Stas to perform a duo straps act.

SHOKHRUKH KHUSANOV

PERCH POLE & CHAIR BALANCE He first started his circus career in 1996 as a wire walker but since then he has moved on and has gained high level expertise in many other circus disciplines. Now he performs the famous but unusual discipline of the Perch Pole with his co-worker Sarvarkhon. He has performed worldwide and has also won awards at the Chinese International Circus Festival in Wuhan. Although this is not his first time performing in the UK, he's very happy to be back.

OLEKSANDR AVDIEIEV

HEAD DANCER A seasoned performer and choreographer from Ukraine, he’s a laureate of major competitions and a proud member of the National Choreographers' Union. Now adjusting to UK life and his first travelling circus, he’s living in a caravan and loving the adventure. Every day feels new, and he calls his team here a second family—offering both professional support and heartfelt connection.

ALFIE DELEVAL

DRUMMER At just 17, Alfie is the youngest in our cast—and a powerhouse on drums. He started at 7, hit grade 8 by 14, and now juggles circus shows with rocking out in local bands. When he's not behind a drum kit, you'll find him climbing, bouldering, or tearing up trails on his mountain and motorbike.

TATIANA OZHIGANOVA

COSTUME DESIGNER An exceptionally skilled designer, who is responsible for the designs of most of the costumes you see here at Circus Cortex. She has been designing costumes for 7 years now, and has worked with many UK shows such as the London Cabaret Club and Giffords Circus. She is an official designer for LambertZ fashion show and she has also had her work published as a new and upcoming designer in Fashzilla magazine.

SIMONE SHENTON

KRISTINA BAUTINA

COSTUME MASTER She is a Lady with very high expertise in her field, she has over 15 years of experience making costumes and evening dresses. She finished the Moscow university of design and then went on to study at the Ecole Lesage Atelier De Broderie, the oldest and finest school of couture in Paris. She is also an official designer for the LambertZ fashion show in Germany.

SVITLANA DVOYASHKINA

CHOREOGRAPHER She started her career as a ballroom dancer and together with her ballroom partner they travelled the world performing in many shows of all types. She then moved on to become a very established choreographer and the head of MIPARTI dance group, which has performed at many events and shows across the globe.

PAUL / OWNER

DIRECTOR & GENERAL MANAGER He started as a professional juggler, and progressed into directing and managing large Circuses in the UK for 15 years. Besides his work life he is a big fan of Derby County FC.

IRINA / OWNER

DIRECTOR & PRODUCER She started as a professional gymnast, competing around the world. She then performed with world famous shows and companies such as:"Releve", "Tihany" - S-America and "Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey" - USA. After, she came to the UK and co-worked as a producer and later agent for large Circuses in the UK as well as "Circus Extreme" and now her very own Cirque show "Circus Cortex"! She is a very hardworking person who quite literally never stops working.