Australian circus company Circa’s latest offering, 'Closer', has none of the trappings we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in a ‘new circus’ style show; neither grand-scale theatrical narrative nor cabaret-style arch humour. Instead we get five circus artists dressed in black on a bare stage space, performing a series of routines in an 'intimate setting' (we are, however, in an upside-down inflatable cow on the South Bank, and I’m not sure the back rows would have been feeling that intimate).
'Closer', which started life as 'Close Up' and premiered at the Edinburgh Festival last year, is 'circus without spectacle', according to the programme. Therein lies part of the problem, as just presenting a series of unadorned displays of physical prowess seems a little, well, dull after a while. This is not a criticism of the performers: they show incredible agility, flexibility and sheer strength (the choreography of quite a few of the hand-to-hand routines involves cast members taking the full weight of others on heads, shinbones, bellies, etc). There is impressive solo rope, strap and trapeze work, and some inventive group balance displays, although their consummate professionalism doesn’t leave you with much sense of risk.
However, director Yaron Lifschitz seems to have told his cast that under no circumstances should they look like they’re having fun. There are scarcely any smiles (even during a routine that involves hugging each other), a few wide-eyed stares and lots of intense concentration: no sense of individuality and no charisma peek through. The audience participation section is thus oddly muted. An inexplicable karaoke interlude uses The Verve’s 'Bittersweet Symphony'. You feel like shouting: “For God’s sake, lighten up.”
Then Lisa Goldsworthy finally does just that, with an exuberant hula hoop routine that has her grinning from ear to ear. The effect on the audience is instantaneous – suddenly, even though this is pure 1970s variety show fare, we’re cheering and laughing, while more demanding routines had received decidedly timid applause. What a difference a smile makes.
BY: SIOBHAN MURPHY