The moment I realized it: nestled beneath a mysterious bridge by the Canal de l’Ourcq, we resembled two little penguins unwilling to part ways.
My first encounter with Jake occurred at a circus festival in Bathurst back in 2010, during my final year of high school. Talented circus troupes from across Australia gathered to display their acts, and it felt as though everyone was captivated by Jake’s group from Adelaide, whose talent was nothing short of remarkable. I distinctly remember him—I even participated in one of his workshops—but I didn’t think too deeply about our meeting at the time.
After leaving my hometown of Ulladulla, I trained at the National Institute of Circus Arts and embarked on a freelance acrobatic career in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Jake’s troupe evolved into a fully-fledged company named Gravity & Other Myths, gaining traction and touring internationally. When an opportunity arose for a flyer position, I jumped at the chance to apply.
My initial interview took place over Zoom and served as more of a vibe check than anything else. I maintained a cool demeanor, which apparently impressed everyone except for Jake—he had his reservations about whether I was the right fit for the team. Nonetheless, they offered me a month-long contract, and before I knew it, I was boarding a plane to Austria to join them.
Arriving in Vienna in December 2018 felt surreal. Although I was filled with anxiety, the exhilaration was palpable as I took a breathtaking train ride through snow-blanketed mountains to Graz, where I would meet the rest of the group.
As we plunged directly into rehearsals, I couldn’t help but feel star-struck. Training was grueling; my skin bore the marks of constant swinging, and I was apprehensive about mastering all the new skills demanded by the routine. By the time I found myself backstage before my inaugural performance, I was nearly overwhelmed by nerves. However, opening night turned out to be a success, and I was prouder than ever.
Back in Australia, I had a boyfriend, so the swift bond I formed with Jake during the tour remained strictly platonic at first. We connected over our mutual love of condiments and often shared post-show meals due to our similar tastes. Life on tour is inherently close-knit; each morning, the entire troupe would gather for coffee, and we would share meals every evening. I found myself gravitating toward Jake because of his infectious humor and uplifting spirit—I simply adored his energy.
As my contract was extended, the distance between my boyfriend and me eventually became insurmountable. Once Jake learned about my breakup, he wasted no time in expressing his feelings for me. This revelation caught me off guard—I hadn’t even realized he found me attractive. Our dynamic began to evolve, adopting a flirtatious tone.
Things escalated during our trip to California in 2019. While we enjoyed beach days between performances, indulging in tacos and soaking up the sun, the line separating tour companions from romantic partners began to blur.
Determined to maintain professionalism, we kept our budding romance under wraps from the rest of the company as we returned for another season in Europe later that year. In the midst of a frigid Paris winter, we stole moments together each night after the shows, savoring our secret meetings that felt like scenes from a film. Huddled beneath that eerie bridge by the Canal de l’Ourcq, we were like two little penguins reluctant to leave one another. We spent hours talking, laughing, and stealing kisses.
It didn’t matter that it was well past midnight, that I was exhausted from performing, or that temperatures had plummeted to -2°C; being with Jake was the only place I desired to be.
As we approached the beginning of 2020, we were gearing up for endless touring. By a stroke of luck, we found ourselves returning to Australia for some shows just as the world was shutting down due to the pandemic. Jake owned an apartment in Adelaide, and I moved in without hesitation.
The following years were undoubtedly stressful, but we always managed to have fun together. Our extensive time spent on the road allowed us to truly get to know each other long before cohabitation. Transitioning our relationship from a showmance to its current status felt incredibly natural. We still tour most of the year and continue to share meals, but we’ve traded our hidden rendezvous under bridges for a more open relationship.
Alyssa Moore and Jacob Randell will perform in Gravity & Other Myth’s Ten Thousand Hours at Arts Centre Melbourne from January 13 to 25.
