Circus of my Sun is our latest television documentary, for Al Jazeera (AJE).

Cirque Shms (“Circus of my Sun”) sits on the edge of one of Morocco’s poorest slums in the city of Sale, in the north west of the country. Each year, hundreds of children and teenagers come to the circus to try out as performers, desperate to find a new future for themselves. For most, the circus is something they’ve only ever heard about on TV or in stories; some even have no idea of what it means until they arrive. Only a handful of the young hopefuls can be taken on: those who make the grade are pushed to their physical limits and constantly challenged to prove themselves – and keeping their place in the Circus of my Sun is an on-going battle. Cirque Shms is the first circus of its kind in Morocco and it has a lot to prove. It has to succeed commercially to deliver a working future for its young performers and it’s the job of the inspirational director, Alain, to make sure that happens.

We join Cirque Shms on its first ever national tour as it travels by train and bus from Tangier to Agadir, sets up the circus tent in Agadir and prepares for a week of performances. We follow the young circus artistes through the gruelling rehearsals they must undertake every day, culminating in the first night performance in front of a demanding audience. For this tour, Cirque Shms is performing a classic Moroccan folk tale – with a Romeo and Juliet theme – through the unique language of circus. For the young performers, it’s their first nerve wracking experience of playing to the public. And for many local people, it’s the first time a home-grown Moroccan circus has come to town. Will the tour be a popular and commercial success? And can it deliver a new future for the young performers?

Circus of My Sun will be transmitted at 22.30GMT on Monday 13th February on Al Jazeera.

The programme will then be available to view online, and will air again at various times during the week on AJE.

In the UK AJE is available on Sky 514, Freesat 203 and Freeview 89 between 6pm and 11pm.