Backbone

Modern Circus, I can take it or leave it. I’m no fan of being distressed as I sit in the theatre by the possibility of accident and injury. So many modern circus acts are filled with that terrifying jeopardy and the what they do is, for me, marred by my unease. My problem I agree!

Gravity and Other Myths, an extraordinary company from Adelaide, have won me over. Why? Surely there are those danger defying feats of human endeavour that I dislike? Well yes, there are, but they are held together by being part of the most beautifully choreographed, yes this is more dance theatre than circus.

Backbone is beautifully conceived and designed. The lighting, bouncing broken beams of lights from mirrors and shooting lights across the stage just above floor level add an extraordinary dynamic to the visual whole. The music, played live, is equally fascinating, sometimes drawing the eye from the performers, but only momentarily.

The danger remains but it’s balanced by humour and by personality, this is a very human experience and one that has sparked an interest from me in modern circus, so much so that I would happily sit through this show, on the edge of my seat, time and time again.

Dome Concert Hall

16 May

Andrew Kay

[rating: 4.5]