Former Flipside Student Harley McLeish returns to Brisbane with Cirque du Soleil

‘Finally, my friends will believe I’m doing circus’: Brisbane acrobat back with Cirque du Soleil

Born and raised in Brisbane, McLeish first joined Flipside Circus with a class a week at the local Meals on Wheels hall learning to juggle before performing at school fetes, Brisbane Powerhouse and festivals in South Bank.

Years after running away to join the circus, Brisbane’s Harley McLeish is returning home as a star in Cirque du Soleil’s latest show. McLeish began his circus journey at the shy age of 10, as “the circus kid that could juggle and do handstands at school”.

McLeish: “Finally, my friends will believe I’m actually doing circus.” Two months after graduating from St Lawrence’s College, he ventured off to China with two more circus friends to continue their careers.