Where acrobatics, bodies, skills, strength and lights diffuse into a overlapping and continuous whole, C!rca comes from Brisbane, Australia, a celebration of the limitless possibilities of the human imagination fused with the innovative expression of the human body pushed to the extreme. A vigorous and challenging art form, these performers captivate audiences through a stunning, delightful, and moving show that is sure to extend the limits of contemporary entertainment.
Performing at the Theater Junction GRAND, “Calgary’s culture house for contemporary live arts,” WeiJia (a fellow blogger) and I were naturally drawn to the curious superhuman feats this troupe would perform, from amazing back flips, contorting twists, and amazing balance of strength and flexibility. C!rca mixes sensual contemporary dance and traditional circus acts to create a truly unique show. WeiJia and I chose the seats in the very front of the row in the theater to get more up close and personal with the fantastic performers. Essentially, we flocked to see the extraordinary and were not disappointed!
C!ca earns a reputation of innovation, international appearances, and among others, developing workshop programs and new acts. Since 2006, C!rca has dazzled the audience in 18 countries for more than 50,000 people a year, creating aspiring and heart stopping shows such as 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes.
The show’s start was extremely disturbing, but interesting, as it was unexpected. A tousled dark-haired young literally leaped onto the theater’s floor flat, eerily illuminated by a single spotlight. No mastery over his body, his built arms and body twisted awkwardly, as if possessed by a puppet master. Ironically, though out the show, it was a theme that was referred to and hinted at in several more acts, ironic considering their astounding superhuman feats that can only be achieved through dedication and mastery of their own human bodies.
Feats defying human convention and completely original were definitely a delightful highlight of this performance. One act consisted of the considerable mutual communication between a woman and a man, acting almost if the floor was on fire. The woman’s body simply kept the man afloat, as the man places his feet into the grooves and surface of her body, amazingly climbing onto her back and onto her shoulders, with such deep concentration, if it were to be a blade, it would slice though the air of anticipation throughout the crowd. Slowly, the man made his way up her head, balancing his one foot on the top of her crown. This spectacle was quite impressive, demonstrating the unimaginable strength that we possess in the body.
Another was terrifying but drew rapture and interest that gave a new literal meaning to “walking all over someone,” which the women did to her male companion with HIGH HEELS on. Bright red Dorothy-style high heels that the woman mercilessly stepped into the male’s back. No murmurs of groans or grunts resonated from the man, but a unified gasp and heightened breathing among the audience carried his weight for him. Unable to fathom how one conditions their body to withstand the pain of a long, solid heel digging into your back, I could only watch in amazement and fear.
Finally, comic relief came in hoops. Impossibly he twisted through hoops the size of one a child might use, the man slithered effortlessly, but first through silver hoops. A woman as well demonstrated the astonishing ability to dance with more than five hula hoops at a time. A man held out his arm in an act to somehow get rid of a clingy girlfriend, except this girlfriend was curled quite tightly in a ball around at the end of his outstretched hand. A traditional circus act of straps and climbing the apparatus to shoot dangerously fast into the floor, but allowed the performer to swing freely, much like gymnasts.
All in all, C!rca was a delightful, fantastic and simply astounding. This arts movement breaks the acts of convention and risks to incorporate traditional circus acts with contemporary, bold and heart stopping show. Making regular appearances to Calgary, be sure to visit and watch their next performance, young or old!
All photos courtesy of http://www.idfb.co.uk/whats-on/circa and Circa