On the back of a huge international touring schedule, Australian circus ensemble Circa present in Melbourne for the very first time their newest show, Beyond – exploring the fine line between human and animal behaviour at Arts Centre Melbourne this January.
Breathtaking, surreal and unexpectedly moving, Beyond blends dynamic circus acts like trapeze and Chinese pole with giant fluffy rabbit head costumes, Rubik’s Cubes and blindfolds.
Created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa ensemble, Beyond comes to life on multiple stages within stages where small red-curtained worlds offer a glimpse of a gorgeous, rich and incredibly quirky world. Audiences may find themselves in a cabaret, a zoo, an asylum or on a stage.
Witness seven performers push their bodies to the limits to a hypnotic mix of show tunes, ballads and electronica, elevating traditional circus acts to a poetic realm of artistry and technical skill with acrobatics, chair balancing, silks, Chinese pole, contortionism and cigar-box juggling.
Over the course of the performance audiences get close to the artists, marvel at their skills and emerge into a strangely beautiful and curiously tender world. Lifschitz’s playful work reverses gender roles and revels in extremes of danger, strength and sexuality.
Described as a journey into the world of fantasy through a series of rabbit holes, a la Alice in Wonderland, Beyond is a show that will take your flights of fantasy and allow you to launch off and escape from reality.
Brisbane-based Circa is a bold vision of contemporary circus in Australia. Considered its ‘masterpiece’, Beyond has toured across six continents – including this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival – to critical acclaim.
Beyond by Circa
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 13 – 18 January 2015
Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or www.circa.org.au for details.
Image: Beyond by Circa – photo by Dylan Evans