DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran has welcomed another take on contemporary circus by introducing “On by Circa” — the more mature, moody sister to last week’s “The Carnival of Animals.”
The show, which opened on July 19, will be staged nightly and end on July 22.
Much like the “The Carnival of Animals,” which was more of a family-friendly and lighthearted whimsical take on humans depicting the movements of animals, the “On” show also relied solely on movement to tell the stories.
Both were created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Australian-based Circa Ensemble.
The “On” show transported viewers to a world where tumbling, acrobatic movements were mastered by the layering of complex dance sequences. The stage was bare, with no screens or elaborate set designs — the focus was simply on the performers.
Eight adults dressed in casual clothing were the stars. None of them spoke throughout. They were tossed onto the stage, embracing one another and forming silhouettes and then quickly departing, mostly in pairs and then coming together as a group, then as rotating partners.
The eight were barefoot on stage, using props such as chairs and a piece of fabric, and dramatically bellowing in the air. There was spontaneous and sporadic applause from audience members who seemed to “get it,” even if they may not have completely understand what the story was about at that moment.
Unlike last week’s “Carnival,” there were no red noses, gimmicks or slapstick comedy skits. This show was a non-verbal masterpiece in which pain, loss, beauty and trust were communicated solely in gestures and movements. It was silent body language at its finest.
The program notes stated: “The stage elements are reduced to their most essential: eight extraordinary acrobats, a score by Melbourne composer Jethro Woodward and a striking lighting design by Paul Jackson. Layering complex acrobatic sequences with sharp moments of close-up intimacy, the ensemble creates a stripped-back circus of the heart that’s uncompromisingly bold and unashamedly athletic.”
It also explained how Circa Contemporary Circus has been one of the world’s leading performance companies over the past two decades, and since its creation has toured 40 countries and performed in front off 1.5 million people. Circa is pioneering how “extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. It continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theater and circus,” it said.
Tickets start at SR70 ($18) and are available on the Ithra website or via social media channels.
