Created by Yaron Lifschitz - Canberra Theatre Centre February 25 - 28
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
Circa never
fail to surprise. Just when you thought you have seen every circus trick
imaginable, Circa come up with something new and surprising. Often classic
circus tricks reworked and pushed beyond what you thought possible.
In “Circa
Beyond” a troupe of 7 acrobats, 4 female and 3 male, ( 3 of whom are former
Canberrans), hardly leave the stage for a moment of this 80 minute, high energy,
presentation currently touring Australia
after an eight month season in Berlin.
The
performance begins simply with a spot-lit hand beckoning through the main
curtain. The hand is replaced by a leg, then a torso. The torso appears to
struggle with the hand and leg, before the curtains open to reveal a dramatic
black and red setting, on which the women, dressed in snappy black and white
leotards, and the men in white shirts, rolled up chinos and grey waistcoats,
fill the stage with astonishing acrobatics involving flying bodies, flying
chairs, and possibly some animals, to the tune of “New York, New York”. On the
last note of the music the mayhem finishes in a tableau with the whole cast
surprisingly wearing huge rabbit heads.
The following act, performed to the Johnny Mathis version of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley
Square” involves a rubic cube being passed around among the cast as they
perform complicated lifts, throws, and tumbles until the problem is solved on
the last note of the song.
Each
imaginative segment segues seamlessly into the next, punctuated by ripples of appreciative
applause. Each is choreographed to the split-second and brilliantly performed.
The rabbit heads are woven through the show, as are stylised animalistic
movements and routines involving silks, straps, trapezes and Chinese poles, all
designed to showcase the amazing strength,
extraordinary flexibility and indeed bravery of each performer.
Because the
work is such an ensemble effort it would be unfair to single out a particular
performer. All contribute brilliance equally and their names are Robbie Curtis,
Rowan Heydon-White, Bridie Hooper, Kathryn O’Keefe, Paul O’Keefe, Skip Walker
and Billie Wilson-Coffey.
The overall
effect is surreal, tantalising, and occasionally bizarre. It is also constantly
entertaining, mesmerising and memorable. Those looking for hidden meanings will find
themselves tantalised, while those seeking only to be entertained will not be
disappointed. “Circa Beyond” is a brilliantly packaged demonstration of
extraordinary circus skills.
