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Brisbane physical theatre Company, CIRCA will be bringing its new dazzling production called "ON" to the Redlands Performing Arts Centre on Saturday 27 May 2023.
About CIRCA Contemporary CircusCirca Contemporary Circus formed in 2004 in Brisbane,and is a leader of a new wave of contemporary Australian circus – pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances can be.
It exploring its art form blurs the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus.
Under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Circa features an ensemble of exceptional, multi-skilled circus artists.
About the ON ProductionI asked Kristen Maloney, Tour Director and Associate Director at Circa to tell us a little more about the Show.
The show features the lives of 8 strangers whose lives cross. Where did the idea for the story for the show come from?
'On by Circa' is about chance encounters, new connections and what it means to be human. The idea stemmed from the desire for physical connection, relationships and touch after COVID lockdowns.
The performance explores the gift of weight, which lies at the heart of acrobatics. The simple act of giving and accepting another's mass is transformed into a profound contemplation on the lives of eight strangers and how their paths cross in the courtyard of an apartment block.
With so much physicality in the performance, how much lead time is needed to design, create and prepare for a show like this?
Circa is at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus – pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. This means that creating a new performance is a unique experience each time. However, the one universality is creating a performance is an organic and collaborative process – it is continually moving, developing and growing.
While Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz had been musing on the concept of the gift of weight for a long time before development started; 'On by Circa' was created on the floor with the acrobats, composer Jethro Woodward and lighting designer Paul Jackson and then premiered at Monash, Australia in April 2022.
Circa is renowned for its unique and contemporary acrobatics, movement, dance and music productions. What is new and specific to this show?
'On by Circa' strips the stage elements to the essential ingredients: eight extraordinarily talented acrobats, a score by Melbourne composer Jethro Woodward and a striking lighting design by Paul Jackson. By layering bodies, sound and light, we have created complex acrobatic sequences with sharp moments of close-up intimacy. At its heart, 'On by Circa' is a stripped-back circus that is uncompromisingly bold and unashamedly athletic.
What do you hope that audiences will take from the performance?
There is universality about the physicality, the fragility, the strength and artistry of contemporary circus and its ability to create stories that can excite, make us think and entertain. Regardless of how much experience an audience member has of going to the theatre, contemporary circus is open to everyone and we hope 'On by Circa' moves people and makes them think and feel something.
If you are keen to experience this extraordinary performance of CIRCA, be sure to secure your tickets
here. Prices are:
Adult: $40.00
Snr/Pens: $35.00
Child/Student: $25.00
Family (Multiples of 4): $30.00 - per person
Group 10+: $32.00 - per person
