Two years ago Caitlin Wright was one of the many local people who helped the Big Kid Circus after it was stranded in Morecambe for six months - and now she's the ringmistress!
Circus bosses were so impressed with the 18-year-old from Heysham when she raised money to help them, that they asked her to join!
Now after travelling all over the country learning her craft as a ringmistress, Caitlin is back home and loving every minute of performing for local audiences now the Big Kid Circus has returned to Morecambe.
Listen to Caitlin Wright talking about her life with the circus:
"I came with my mum two years ago and she is very into charity and helping people," said Caitlin, who went to St Peter's Primary School in Heysham.
"We came down to see how we could help because they had no food and no money.
"We held a couple of fundraisers outside the tent in the summer. Then I was speaking to Julia (the circus manager). My boyfriend is a lighting technician, so she said when we finished college we could join. Now we're here!"
Caitlin trained in the performing arts from the age of 10 and loved singing and dancing, but never expected to join the circus.
Here is Caitlin pictured with her circus colleagues from Cuba, Melissa Jiminez and Adrian Gonzalez
"I always wanted to be in musical theatre but it didn't always feel like that's what I was meant to do.
"I'd never heard of a woman doing the role, I'd only ever heard of a ringmaster.
"But when I saw Olympia (the previous ringmistress) doing it, I thought that's what I want to do!
"Olympia trained me up, and when she fell pregnant with her third baby, she said she wanted to settle down, and she said 'have the role!'"
Caitlin debuted in Redcar and is now enjoying her first full year with the Big Kid Circus.
"I love it, I'm so happy.
"It's all so over-the-top, you have to connect with the audience in a different way.
"We're constantly on the road, you have to change your sleeping and eating patterns, but I love it like that, I wouldn't change it all. I've met so many nice people and I've made a lot of friends.
"I never would have expected it. I'm so grateful!
"So far the audience are loving it, we're getting a really good reaction.
"We have the flying trapeze, the Globe of Death, aerial straps...I don't want to say too much, but the acts are crazy!"
The Big Kid Circus will also feature a new performer this year, Morecambe's well-known Michael Jackson impersonator who often performs in the town centre.
"Two years ago he helped and gave donations, so he will feature as a special guest in our Morecambe shows this year! He's amazing!"
Big Kid Circus will also be putting on some free shows this year, as a thank you to the Morecambe community for rallying round to help them in 2020.
As Caitlin says: "The circus wouldn't be standing right now if it wasn't for the people of Morecambe."
The free shows will be held tonight (Thursday March 10) at 5pm and 7.30pm, and tomorrow (Friday March 11) at 5pm and 7.30pm.
Tickets for free shows can be booked via Eventbrite only.
Paid shows will take place on Saturday (March 12) and Sunday (March 13).
For more details see the Big Kid Circus website.
See here for our story about the Ukrainian circus performers in Morecambe.
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