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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. Last year she took part in Spain’s Got Talent. Outside the circus ring, she is actively pursuing her acting and modelling career.	KRISTAPS PAVLOVS WHIP-CRACKING AND 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.	MARLEN MARATOV LADDER BALANCE, AERIAL TRIO, PERCH-POLE He graduated as a professional artist from circus college and has since been performing around the world. He has also taken part in Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent and China’s Got Talent, he is also a Guinness World Record holder. He is joining us here at Circus Cortex for the first time this year together with his colleagues and is accompanied by his wife.
ZARINA DIGARBEKOVA LADDER BALANCE, AERIAL TRIO Although not from a circus family, Zarina fell in love with performing and went on to graduate from circus college, which is where she first met her now husband Batyr. Together they created their ladder balancing act and have since performed all over the world winning many awards. Outside of the circus ring she is interested in biochemistry and nutrition. Sewing is her favourite hobby. Zarina is a mother to two young daughters who are also here on tour.	STASS 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.	SHOKHRUKH KHUSANOV PERCH POLE 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. 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.
KATERYNA DOMIANYCH AERIAL ROPE She had her first circus class at the age of 7 and has never looked back since. She has performed all over the world in many different shows, and on cruises. She loves to travel, reading and adores dogs. She is joining us this year and her two daughters and dog are also on tour with us.	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.	YULIA GERA DANCER Yulia is joining us for her first season here at Circus Cortex and is excited to see the UK. Aside from dancing, Yulia enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and working on her fitness and flexibility. She loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to see new places and meet new people.
BATYR ZHANUZAK LADDER BALANCE, AERIAL TRIO He is an experienced circus artist with over 16 years of performing internationally. He performs alongside his wife Zarina, and together they have captivated audiences across the world, and received many awards. Outside the circus ring, Batyr leads an active lifestyle and has a strong interest in artificial intelligence and modern technologies. He enjoys playing football and strategic games in his free time.	ALFIE DELEVAL DRUMMER At just 18, 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.	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.
ELISE MACHIN DANCER, WHIP-CRACKING Elise started her career in circus in 2023 as a dancer and has since gone on to perform as a dancer and aerialist internationally. This year she is returning to Cortex as a dancer and bringing new skills in her duo whip cracking act with Kristaps. Outside of the ring, Elise can usually be found in the gym and training for endurance races.	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.	JESSICA LERWILL DANCER She first started dancing at 3 years old, and she trained at Kate Simmons Dance in Warrington. She has performed all over the world in multiple production shows. She loves to travel and very much enjoys circus life. Outside of her performing life, she is studying for her degree in psychology and loves to read. She is excited for her new adventure with Circus Cortex.
JODIE UPTON DANCER She fell in love with dancing and performing from her very first dance class aged just 4 years old, and she’s been dancing ever since. She is professionally trained in dancing, singing and acting, and has a degree in musical theatre. She has had many different jobs performing around the world, including being a dance teacher, a professional princess, starring in pantomimes, magic, puppeteering and so much more! She feels so lucky to have made her passion into her career.	SLAVA PETRUN TECHNICAL CREW Slava first joined as a talented BMX biker in 2023 but has since transitioned into one of our technical crew. This year is his fourth season here at Circus Cortex. In his free time, he enjoys going out on his bike, flying his drone and bowling.	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 PA Simone didn’t originally join as a PA, but over time, that’s exactly what she’s become. Her role has naturally evolved into a bit of everything, taking on whatever needs doing and helping to keep things ticking along.	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.
IRINA DIRECTOR & PRODUCER Irina 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.	PAUL 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.

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