This performance was billed as a Triple Bill. Sadly due to injury, Scottish company Spotted Stripes Circus had to cancel their première of Welcome My Son, a consideration of idealized beauty and social conformity seen through the eyes of Frankenstein’s Monster.
The result of this was an extended version of Tristissimo, a contemporary interpretation of the tragedy of Tristan and Isolde from Italian company CEC.
What is now a double bill opened with Unchained from the brilliant US aerial acrobats Paper Doll Militia who return to manipulate with this European premiere. Even before the two performers appear, there is an air of wonder and mesmerisation in the mere presence of the set. Resembling an exploded pokey hat, this white cone in the centre of the stage is surrounded by streams of paper that spill out like white sunbursts, or indeed like rivulets of streaming ice cream.
This structure then starts to rise like a shredded tent or a ghostly maypole and within it is a trapeze of chains from where the two artistes perform their exquisite circus skills dressed as wide eyed punkish imps.
The shows themes of “oppression, betrayal and rescue” can be seen throughout this perfectly synchronised Houdiniesque aerial display from these two consummate acrobats. They appear so physically similar that their slinky symbiotic moves trick the eye as to which is which as they mirror moves in absolute precision. The sounds that accompany the piece and the presence of a mysterious set of white overalls go to make this bijou circus an enthralling delight worthy of 5 stars.
By complete contrast the stage set for Tristissimo is, like the two dancers at the start who stand with their backs to the audience like a modern Adam and Eve, utterly bare. Wearing long straw like wigs, the pair begins dressing with the garments strewn on stage, keeping their eyes locked on each other throughout.
They then start their narrated dance to some gorgeous music. The giant white screen served no evident purpose other than a brief shadow show when Chiara Taviani moved around the stage with the wig combed over her face like a spectacled miniature Chewbacca.
In spite of the dancers evident pliant and co-ordinated skill, Tristissimo felt unfinished, raw and frankly bizarre. Their dull clothes gave this obscure piece an air of rehearsal. What a performance is supposed to be about matters naught if it is visually dull and conversely even if the intended meaning is obscure its visual excitement can win through.
age recommend 14+
Wednesday 4 February