CARNATION: NO FIT STATE CIRCUS
A friend asked me the other day what the difference is between No Fit State Circus and Cirque de Soleil. Where to start I thought. There is little doubt that the Canadian troupe are stunning, delivering circus skills and arts at the highest level, but then the Cardiff based troupe do do just that. Thrills are similarly balanced, excitement and pure enjoyment the same. In the end I declared that No Fit State add humour, connection and in a far more intimate setting, and without lamé and sequins!
I might add also at a far more affordable price!
It is perhaps a somewhat glib answer, but holds an element of truth, and a truth I find so much more attractive. This is an extraordinary company that clearly functions like a family. You can see in the way that they work together that there is an amazing bond between each member, a deep sense of community and of course trust. The acts flow so cleverly from one to the next, performers taking centre stage at times and at other times rigging for the next act, climbing those scarily high towers at speed to counterbalance a colleague or a piece of equipment and leaping from the ring to play in the band, and what a great band. I particularly loved the beautiful vocal duet delivered by the white dressed blonde ladies who may or may not be twins. This in itself is quite spectacular, but when you add to the equation, trapeze, tightrope, see-saws, ropes and various other feats of derring do the whole is explosively thrilling to watch, whether it is a gender fluid bride and groom dangling above our heads, towers of humans, an extraordinary pole act or a juggler that combines dexterity with humour, I mean, who knew you could wring something so beautiful from a set of plastic hoops or a rainbow coloured dayglo slinky! And how funny is it to see the entire company charging around the ring shedding or being stripped of their costumes until they are all… well go along to see how they all end up!
The first half ends so excitingly, but on this occasion, and I have seen them many many times, the second half starts thrillingly but some how drifts into a very beautiful but less exciting finale. The protesting proletariate of the first half now the entitled tail coated upper classes partying within three concentric circles of red draped curtains that rise and fall in varying inversions, atop of this a solitary figure delivers a frantic and angry dance. Visually it is quite amazing, as are the frequent tableaux that have punctuated the evening, fantasy tea parties and writhing gold clad figures. But somehow the exciting and thrilling feats have sadly been left behind.
All that said this is a very welcome return to Brighton of an amazing and entertaining company with a show that is perfect for all ages.
Andrew Kay
7 May
Black Rock
Rating:
