A dim light hangs low centre stage,
swinging gently side to side, illuminating the contortion of the artist below.
I say artist because that’s what each of these performers were. S was not your average circus show with
clowns and brightly coloured costumes. It was minimalist, simple, stripped back
and bare. It is a performance that plays on the impossible, a show that pushes
what we perceive to be human. It gave the performers (Jessica Connell, Gerramy
Marsden, Daniel O’Brien, Brittannie Portelli, Kimberley Rossi) room to have
their craft distilled, to highlight the sensitivity and artistry of acrobatics.
Created by Yaron Lifschitz, S used the shape and sound of the letter
to produce something modern and unusual. It was a visual feast. The strength
and dexterity of each of the artists was phenomenal, however, it was the fusion
of contemporary dance and circus that set this show apart from others.
As for the acrobatics itself, it was unconventional and unique.
It used elements of traditional circus acts such as balancing water bowls and
spinning multiple hula-hoops (Jessical Connell), however, the combination of these
with the music made entirely new acts out of classic ideas. The show featured
music from the Kronos Quartet, Kimmo Pohjonon and Samuli Kosminen, which
combined eastern tonality with western structure, resulting in high intensity
pieces that impassioned the performers and the audience too.
One thing that really struck me was the versatility of each of
the performers. Each was able to carry at least two other cast members, flip
and fly and contort themselves, and balance and control each of their
movements. It was this characteristic of the cast that made for a cohesive performance
– a sense of cooperation and interdependence that made the production fluid and
uninterrupted.
Libby McDonell’s decision to put the performers in simple black
leotards/pants was very effective and worked well with Jason Organ’s stark
lighting– it left every muscle exposed for the audience to marvel at. That’s
really what the show celebrated, the determination and bravery to push one’s
body to its limit.
Circa’s S
had the Riverside's audience on the edge of their seat – people ooh’d and ahh’d
throughout regardless of age. It took me back to the magic of circus,
otherworldly and impossible, but this time sinuous, sleek and
sophisticated.
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