Kate’s Score: 4.5 Moonwalks
In a marriage of the mystical and the mechanical, Cirque Stratosphere delivers a narrative of space exploration which becomes a framework for extraordinary physical feats. Producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson seem to have scoured global talent competitions and circuses to find the most gravity-defying, fantastic and dangerous performances to create a salute to the golden anniversary of the moon landing.
Salvador Salangsang, a clown, appears. He is dressed as an astronaut. He charms the audience into participating in creating our own version of Richard Strauss’ Thus SpakeZarathrustra, and so we have agreed to participate in this space odyssey. Historically, all the early astronauts were male; and although in the early American history 13 women trained and often outperformed the men (in particular the incredible aviatrix Jerrie Cobb who out-trained both Shepard and Glenn,) it was to be 1983 before there was a female astronaut. This sidelining of women’s abilities is reflected in the later performance of pole dancer Polina Volchek, whose stunning strength and flexibility on the titanium pole is in defiance of the men who initially belittle her. Women were an essential, if hidden, part of space exploration and this is reflected in Cirque Stratosphere’s story construct. Anna Lewandowska appears with her spinning wheel and combining dance and acrobatics, becomes a gyroscope, so necessary for astronauts seeking to maintain orientation and angular velocity. Aerialist Emma Dutton, lifted into space on her hoop, captivates with her elegance and dynamism, seeming to float in space, twisting and gliding effortlessly. Thus Stratosphere’s construct is to show men as astronauts and women as the mechanics on which they rely for survival. When Natalia Korahukova defies the odds spinning off her partner Evgenii Isaev in Duo Velocity, it is clear that without the other, both are lost in space.
Like Salangsang, the Host Tape Face (Steve Capps), provides distraction during transitions. His is a silent act but as with all silences in the show, it is never boredom but the silence of fascination and engagement. There are, of course, many moments of oohs! And ahhhhs!, The astronaut tumbling through space falling to earth (Marat Dashempilov on bungee straps) only to wind himself up again; the teamwork necessary between space crews in order to survive as displayed in the skills of Hand to Hand and Trio Transcendent and the training demanded – metaphorically shown by Submergence precisely jumping through increasingly difficult arrangement of hoops, sometimes backwards. At times, it seemed they paused mid-flight. The Rocketeers use their teamwork to catapult each other into space. All these teams need split-second timing and place their safety in the hands (or feet or shoulders or strength) of the other. The Cosmonaut (Oleg Spigin) has no-one however. Alone on a trapeze, he orbits in the small space. There is no net. As is the song of old, he soars through the air with the greatest of ease but then balances on his head. Then, stunningly, on his mouth; and always in ever faster trapeze loops.
As mankind is preparing to land, gymnast and dancer Felice Aguilar, on a spinning hub,delivers a lyrical, contemporary choreography reflecting the hope and fear on earth of those watching the moon landing in their living rooms. It is a moment of reflection before the eagle landing.
But it lands. Finally, despite the odds. The Flyers Valencia – Roy Miller and Luis Romero– perform on the Wheel of Death. And this has truly terrifying moments, for historically, there have been deaths on this contraption and for this reason the act is rarely seen. The wheel is actually a large space frame beam with hooped tracks at either end, within which the performers carry out synchronized acrobatic skills on either the inside or outside of the hoops. As they do, the whole apparatus rotates. It is stunningly dangerous and a reminder of just how perilous space exploration is.
On a set which forcibly reminds one of the final scenes in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, an elevated DJ Hikuri Roots commands a sound show which is more than matched by a lighting design (Paul Smith). The combination effectively makes us both nostalgicobservers of, and participants in the space race of the 1960s. Historical broadcasts are mixed with musical space themes. The sense is enhanced by James Browne’s costuming – stage crew (who are dauntingly responsible for the safety of performers) are in overalls of space ground crew and assistants’ dress reflects both the fashion and plastic fabrics of the time. As with space exploration, the limitations imposed by space have forced creative solutions.
There is awe. There is wonder. There is fear. And there are moments of humour. The journey is, however, episodic. This is largely due to the nature of the Cirque, each act has its own climax and does not necessarily segue to the next phase in the usual storytelling way. Our senses of danger and amazement are engaged a little inconsistently and our heartstrings not much at all. This may be the last limitation needing a creative solution; a sense of victory against the impossible.
Cirque Stratosphere proves, like other such Cirques, there is no need to train animals to entertain. All the family entertainment we need exists in the talents, dedication, skills, strength and imagination of those daredevils who seek to defy physics.
Kate Stratford, Theatre Now
24-29 Dec & 14-19 Jan 2019
Venue: SOH: Concert Hall
Theatre Company: The Works Entertainment
Duration: Approx. 2 Hours (incl Interval)
Ticket Prices:
Standard Tickets $59 – $119
Concessions Available
plus booking fee
Tuesday 24 December at 4pm
Thursday 26 December at 3pm & 7pm
Friday 27 December at 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Saturday 28 December at 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 29 December at 3pm & 7pm
By A dazzling new show, Cirque Stratosphere features gravity-defying acts on a scale never seen before at the Opera House
For six nights only, a troupe of Olympic-standard acrobats and gymnasts will demonstrate that even the sky isn’t the limit.
Strap in and blast off to a brand new circus show that’s out of this world. From the makers of Circus 1903 and The Illusionists, come ready to experience Olympic level acrobats performing death defying, logic imploding, head spinning stunts and aerial acts. Everything about this space themed circus is in the round, and off the ground.
