Circus Abyssinia's Ethiopian Dreams: a week in the life

After runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, in Singapore and Adelaide, Circus Abyssinia are heading to London's South Bank as part of this year's Underbelly Festival. The company's hour-long show is an exuberant, family-friendly celebration of circus tradition and Ethiopian heritage, and follows two boys as they explore the world around them. The show was described as "joy-fuelled talent at its purest" in our review.

We asked troupe member Betty Dejene to give us a look at the show during its opening week.

Seeing double

BD: "On the way to the venue with Bibi and Ezera (who plays Little Bibi in the show!)"

Going through the motions

BD: "Rehearsal time!"

Caffeine top-up

BD: "Coffee break!"

Stretch on the stairs

BD: "What happens when we have the whole theatre to ourselves…"

Clubbing of the juggling kind

BD: "Always practising!"

Meet the press

BD: "Quick interview!"

The set in construction

BD: "Rigging the Chinese Poles in pre-show rehearsal."

Oh what a circus!

BD: "Pre-show ritual – 'Circus Abyssinia!'"