Circolombia, Underbelly Circus Hub, Review

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Rating (out of 5)
5
Show info
Company
Circolombia
Production
Felicity Simpson (Circolombia Director and Creative Producer), Ryan Wilmott (Musical Director), Carlos Neto (Choreo), Mark Storer (Creative Midwife), James Laudon (Light design)
Performers
JULIA ALEJANDRA, SANCHEZ AJA, DIEGO RENE, SANCHEZ BARRERA, CRISTIAN DAVID, TRIVINO RINCON, LAURA LUCIA, LLOREDA MARTINEZ, LAURA PATRICIA, SANDRA IBANEZ RAMIREZ, DIANA PATRICIA, VARGAS MONTOYA, JULIANA VALENTINA, TORO VELASQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER, HURTADO HURTADO, CESAR STEVE, IZQUIERDO ACEVEDO, JARRINSON, CUERO MARTINEZ, WILMER ANDRES, MARTINEZ JUAN MANUEL, NACARRO RUBIANO, JUAN DAVID, CAMPO TERAN, MATEO
Running time
60mins

It’s party time in the Lafayette at 9pm. Circolombia are back with more sass, more swag and even more death-defying skills.

Before we even begin on the circus skills, there is immediately something which sets Circolombia apart from other circus shows, and that is its live music. A chorus cheer rumbles up from back stage; two singers emerge through a haze of smoke and atmospheric lighting, bringing their fourteen strong troupe with them. Hot smoky voices rip through the microphones, letting us know ‘Circolombia’s in the house.’

From here in the tone of the performance is set. The company’s Latino fire crackles through the big top and turns the whole event into a street party where their best and brightest perform incredible and terrifying circus skills.

There is tumbling, human towers, seesaw acrobatic and a variety of aerial work – and some skills you’ve probably never seen before. The danger and daring involved in these stunts is shocking. There are gasps from the audience as equipment is brought out and we think – are they really going to do that? Yes, they do.

Incredible feats of strength, trust and balance come into play in an act involving a freestanding acrobat’s wheel balanced on a man’s forehead. The sheer height the artists reach with no safety lines is heart stopping.

The live music brings it solidly back to earth, a refreshing and personal way of uniting the performance. There is a beautiful set on a swing trapeze during which the artist speaks about self-worth and individuality, and this sums up the celebration that is Circolombia.

Until 25th (not 13th or 20th)