Reviews

I'm shifting between profound appreciation for the company's skills and efforts to push circus in this direction and the realization that the challenge might still be too monumental. I'm uncertain if any circus company could execute a performance that would do enough justice to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring as Pina Bausch did in dance. Perhaps circus hasn't reached that level of artistic expression just yet.

Immediately you have a feeling that something is not right. The large highly detailed photographs are edited from several shots and locations, and create somewhat menacing cinematic portraits of animals and landscapes. The small parrots casually flock the fighting moose like vultures ready to feast on their souls or to guide the warriors to a more peaceful afterlife.

Neuvostoihmisen Loppu based on Svetlana Aleksijevits's Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets. What a bold performance with top notch everything from actors and story to lighting and sound. Clever use of the makeshift space and video. Top5 performances of all time for me. Made me grab the book the play is based on.

Based loosely on Federico Garcia Lorca's Bodas de Sangre, the collaboration of Compañia Kaari & Roni Martin and the Helsinki City Theatre is a homage to artists that are not afraid to thrust themselves into the horns of the raging bull. Although I occasionally found the fusion of contemporary dance with flamenco music challenging, given my preference for the latter, ultimately, the heartfelt surrealistic portrayal of pain and chaos resonated deeply with me.

"They say history is told by the victors; this story is told by the vanquished". Dark Noon was a theatrical experience that I still think about often. Seven South African actors in colorful play of Natives, African slaves, Chinese immigrants, cowboys and more. Audience on three sides of the stage and a massive video screen. Rather questionable use of volunteers but it got the point across.

One of the best renditions of "let's just do great entertaining fun circus that looks like us!" I was thoroughly entertained by the talents of the London circus scene and the Grande Finale is just ridiculous.

Heartfelt comedy play of a bin person's real-life experiences. Loved how the sometimes rough comedy had a gentle or at least forgiving approach to personal drama. "A bin man swaps steel-toed boots for stilettos to chase his dream of becoming a drag queen."

The massive stage is covered in earth as 34 specially assembled dancers from 14 African countries perform the original choreography of fierce, poetic and ultra physical struggle all to the music of Igor Stravinsky. The performance grabs you by the heart like the most painful and beautiful moments of life.

One of the funniest shows ever created! A curse from a mermaid sets a man on an epic journey through centuries and several countries. The over the top actor is accompanied by a supporting actor/stage manager and an endless stream (or a tsunami!) of signs, boxes and stage props made entirely of cardboard. This is one of the shows that everybody was talking about in Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and it did not disappoint!

A masterclass in story-telling infused with magic. The show draws from Ben Hart's personal experiences travelling India "to discover the lost, real magic". It was refreshing to see a magician with natural charisma, great stories and the tricks to seal the deal. Very atmospheric with good use of simple lights and music.