LEAPING on a trapeze is a pretty drastic way to get someone’s attention.

But for the two female characters in a combined dance and circus skills piece, it helps them combat a growing feeling of invisibility as they age.

What Happens in the Winter (WHITW) explores how women navigate getting older in performing arts careers and in a culture which both worship youth.

Vicky Amedume, artistic director of the Upswing cross artform group behind WHITW, is keen to stress the play is about much more than just making a political point for aerialist Lindsey Butcher, 49, and dancer Ann Dickie, 68.

She told News Shopper: “There are lots of personal stories which are beautiful or funny and some are quite sad.

“Ultimately it’s a very positive piece because it’s about reflecting on life and finding it might not be what you thought it would be but it’s still something quite wonderful.

“It’s a weird mix of circus, dance and story-telling.”

There will also be a chance for some audience participation when WHITW comes to the Albany in Deptford later this month.

Ticket holders can sign up to a workshop allowing them to try out some of the skills in the piece on the same day as each performance, with audio recordings from the session included in that night’s rendition.

Vicky said: “The oldest we have had is 80.

“It’s not about learning how to be a circus artist or learning how to do difficult or dangerous tricks.

“It’s very much about the experience of trusting your weight to something else and playing with balance and learning how to feel which I think gets more important as you get older.

“That feeling of flying is something we all dream about.”

What Happens in the Winter is on at the Albany is Douglas Way, Deptford on April 25 and 26 at 7.30pm and on May 1 at Jacksons Lane in London.

Tickets are £12 with concessions £10.

Visit thealbany.org.uk for more information.