Circa: En Masse

Circus as a total work of art: Accompanied by the music of Schubert and Stravinsky, the legendary avant-garde circus troupe from Australia presents a vision of a dying world that blooms again. The expression “art circus” was coined to describe Circa, whose work is at once astonishing and emotionally captivating, approaching contemporary dance by combining theatrical elements and acrobatics choreographed to music. In the first half of their performance, Circa shows us a darker side of circus as trapped figures struggle against the end of the world. Electronic loops point to an apocalyptic future and a lone tenor (Hans Jörg Mammel) sings Schubert‘s exquisite songs of loss and love accompanied by piano (Klavierduo Grau/Schumacher). In the second half a new civilisation rises from the ashes, blossoming in images of growth and ascent as Stravinsky’s Sacre du Printemps is played live by the piano duo Grau/Schumacher. The Rite of Spring is performed as a struggle for a new beginning is fought out by acrobats. Hands and bodies form endless stairs, three story human towers tilt dangerously: the anarchic energy of the body shows how the old dies and the new is born, and that circus can touch us emotionally.

“With En Masse, Circa have created a grand masterwork that challenges the boundaries of dance, theatre, music and circus to present a dystopian view of endings and beginnings.” – The Conversation, Australia