The first time Jake and I crossed paths was at a circus festival in Bathurst. It was 2010 and I was in my last year of high school. Aspiring circus troupes from across the country had gathered to showcase their acts. It felt like all eyes were on Jake’s group from Adelaide, they were incredibly talented. I definitely remember him – I even took one of his workshops – but didn’t think much more of it.
I left my home town, Ulladulla, not long after, trained at the National Institute of Circus Arts and launched a freelance acrobatic career in Melbourne. Meanwhile Jake’s troupe had become a company. Gravity & Other Myths was on the ascent, touring internationally, so when a position came up for a flyer I didn’t hesitate to apply.
My first interview was a vibe check of sorts via Zoom. I played it pretty cool and apparently this made a great impression on everyone but Jake, who wasn’t sure I was the right fit. But they took me on for a month-long contract and before I knew it I was on a plane to join them in Austria.
It was December 2018 and it felt like a dream. I was terrified but absolutely buzzing when I arrived in Vienna. I took this stunning train ride through snow-covered mountains to Graz to meet the rest of the group.
I was a bit star-struck as we dived straight into rehearsals. Training was intense, my skin was ripped up from all the swinging and I was petrified of all the new skills the routine demanded. By the time I found myself behind the curtain for my first performance, I almost blacked out from nerves. But opening night was a success and I had never been more proud.
I had a boyfriend back home in Australia so the quick connection I made with Jake on the tour was purely platonic, at first. We bonded over a shared love of condiments and often split our after-show meals because we had such similar tastes. Life on tour is pretty intimate; the whole troupe would get coffees together every morning and eat together every night. I’d gravitate towards Jake because he’s so funny, always mucking around and propping up the mood. I just loved his energy.
My contract was extended and eventually the distance became too much for my boyfriend. As soon as Jake caught wind of my breakup he wasted no time in making his interests known. This came as quite the surprise – I didn’t even realise he thought I was cute. Our chemistry began to shift and things got flirty.
We were in California in 2019 when things really shifted gear. Hanging out on the beach between shows, eating tacos and enjoying the weather, the boundary between tour buddy and lover dissolved.
We didn’t want to rock the boat professionally so we kept our romance a secret from the rest of the company as we returned for another season in Europe later that year. In Paris in the dead of winter we’d steal some extra time together every night after the show. These secret rendezvous felt like something out of a movie. Huddled under a spooky bridge by the Canal de l’Ourcq we were like two little penguins who couldn’t bear to leave each other’s side. We’d chat and giggle and kiss for hours.
It didn’t matter that it was past midnight, that I was bone-tired from performing or that it was -2C, being there with Jake was the only place I wanted to be.
At the start of 2020 we were looking down the barrel of endless touring, but by chance we were headed back to Australia for some shows, just as the world shut down. Jake had an apartment in Adelaide and I moved straight in.
It was a stressful few years but we have always had so much fun together. All the time we spent on the road meant we knew each other so well before we moved in together. Taking our relationship from showmance to what it is now was really organic. We still tour most of the year and still split our meals, but we spend less time hiding under bridges.
Alyssa Moore and Jacob Randell will be on stage in Gravity & Others Myth’s Ten Thousand Hours at Arts Centre Melbourne from 13 to 25 January
