Part gymnastic display, part stunt act, part modern dance, Cirque Éloize opened its latest show, iD, to packed theatres at the Teatro on 19 August. The Canadian contemporary circus company has been drawing gasps of shock and admiration from audiences around the world since 1993, and now it brings the renewal of the circus arts to Johannesburg audiences.
Fourteen performers combined the traditional circus arts of trapeze, contortionists and even juggling with break dancing and an ever-shifting multimedia backdrop, to produce a high-octane performance that brings the circus firmly into the 21st century.
Combative and edgy, yet playful, Cirque Éloize iD visualises the characters and stories of the urban jungle against a soundtrack that juxtaposes hip-hop beats against the sounds of the city. Construction workers, office employees, gang members and lovers all executed feats of superhuman strength and skill that left the audience whistling, gasping … and marvelling at what can be achieved with a bicycle or a humble skipping rope.
The cast exhibited multidisciplinary talents with energy, ease and a great sense of fun in a slick, dynamic production that showed just what the human body can do. From the first siren wail to its astonishing trampoline finale, Cirque Éloize iD shocked, amused and enthralled as it brought the wonders of the circus to a contemporary audience.
Details: 19 August-14 September (Tuesday-Sunday); tickets R120-R400; www.montecasino.co.za or www.showtime.co.za; @showtime_SA
