Circus – Live Art Alive

KALABANTÉ PRODUCTIONS

The Hall, AVIVA STUDIOS

The latest extravaganza to mark the launch of Aviva Studios in the city is The Welcome a series of events curated by local people across Greater Manchester selected as part of The Assembly. Many of these events happening between the 11-19th November are free to the public and others are affordably priced. Afrique en Cirque celebrates everyday life in Western Africa as it zeroes in on coastal village life in Guinea. Devised by Montreal based circus Kalabanté Productions this is an unadulterated expression of joy and physical prowess that is at times as mind bending as it is literally body bending.

The staging of an African village looks invitingly beautiful and the lighting is gorgeous. Village huts are peopled by musicians while the front of the wide stage of The Hall lends itself perfectly to the endless series of tumbling routines that blend with tribal inspired dance, juggling, hoop and human pyramids that erupt on stage without anyone appearing to ever draw breath. This might be a show that casually started on African time but once it gets going it’s exuberance and high energy is unrelenting.

Afrique en Cirque. Image credit: Wendell Teodoro

Yamoussa Bangoura established this circus company in 2007 to celebrate African culture and circus. There are no high wires or safety equipment other than crash mats and the performers seem gleefully unbothered by the very real risks involved in much of their routines. One strides around with another performer casually standing on their head while the contortionist bends in ways that can have seemingly scant regard for their own body in 10 years time. The ensuing result is an extraordinary exhibition of human skill and endurance that also paints a vibrant image of village life. Routines are developed around market bartering, fishing expeditions and storytelling that all play out with colourful costume changes and live music from the live band. Afro jazz style music is performed with guitar and saxophone blending with traditional West African percussion and the beautiful kora.

There are some gorgeous moments such as the dreamy balletic hoop routine with the spinning cyr wheel. There is cheeky humour in a routine involving hard hats and a human pyramid that is an impudent nod to The Chippendales/ The Full Monty. The sheer athleticism and energy is invigorating and the performers are multi talented as they also take on some of the percussion and singing as well. The music and singing is utterly infectious and has numerous young children dancing in the aisles in this relaxed performance. The audience is involved and encouraged to engage in callbacks as we learn little bits of the Guinea dialect Susu…I now know that naani is four and suli is five thanks to a playful juggling routine.

This is a production that has played all over the world and in doing so is a reminder of what a rich and varied culture exists in Africa. It’s also a lovely reminder that communal joy and gasps of awe can be universal whether in Manchester, Manéah or Montreal.

The Hall, Aviva Studios 11 -15th November 2023

Skylight Circus Arts

Devised and Directed by Grania Pickard

Brown luggage tags are attached to every seat in the performance space at Skylight Circus Arts in Rochdale. My tag is a handwritten snapshot memory from one of tonight’s performers. The waiting audience are already interacting with each other sharing the little stories on their tags. There is a genuine feeling of community in the space and of every generation being present.

Established in 1989 this circus school focus most of their community work on people with disabilities or educational needs, older people and disengaged young people. Generations is a collaboration between young and old, showcasing the over 55’s Silver Circus Group and the Older Youth Circus Group. It is also an artistic collaboration between Martine Bradford, Artistic Director of Skylight and Grania Pickard of Bristol based Oddly Moving.

The central theme of the journeys we each take in life is beautifully evoked as the performers communicate their hopes and dreams for the future and reminisce on special memories from their pasts. There are some lovely poetic monologues delivered during the performance. All the journeys connect in celebrating that life is for living and that feeling loved and connected to others is essential to well-being.

The performance features a range of circus skills cleverly woven into the narrative and into how the monologues are showcased. A man and woman sit and happily reflect on trips to the Grand Canyon or wing walking on a Tiger Moth bi-plane while swinging on trapeze bars. Young girls share memories of the best place they have ever been to while performing up on silks or ropes. Both evoke the universal magic of the playground in childhood where we chattered to friends and swung as high in the sky as possible. At another moment one girl supports another person on her legs and becoming a human swing boat. Stilt walkers take children up on their feet as they move around as though to guide the first steps of a new generation.

A treasured suitcase reveals juggling balls like gold nuggets to be shared out, while another heavy case dragged by ropes reveals an another aerial performer when opened. All of these are revealed with a nice touch of physical comedy that evokes some classic clowning around while also maintaining the playfulness that does not leave any of us as we leave childhood.

The ebb and flow of luggage as central props neatly serves the sense of movement on the journey of life. There is a lovely scene where all the performers form a human chain stepping in and out of each suitcase as though to experience literally walking in each other’s shoes or lives. The over-riding feeling in this performance is the potency of sharing old and new experiences together as the generations co-operate.

It is fascinating watching the rigging alter on stage or see the tightrope put together as all these actions are carried out by the performers, again reminding the observer of how much skills and knowledge, trust and cooperation goes into a show like this.

Generations is a real gem weaving together young people who may struggle to feel accepted in society or to imagine what aging means to those whose youth is now just a memory with the experiences of an older generation. In placing them together in a creative process it also facilitates older people to reclaim their vigour and curiosity in order to have a fulfilling future. This is a celebration of the journey of life, whether up in the air or on the ground it honours movement. Whether it is the lightness of a child’s dancing steps or the more rolling gait of an arthritic hip it is a joyful reminder that every movement has a beauty of its own and tells a unique story. Travel sweets are handed out to the audience as we leave – a sweet reminder that we are all on a journey. Deftly juggling playful and poignant, this is a show with big ambitions and an even bigger heart.

Performed at Skylight Circus Arts 27/28th April

At The Lowry Aldridge Studio 15th July

Images by Giles Bennett

Tag: Circus

AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE

Generations