Last updated: 15 July 2023
By: @russellofearth
The moment I realised I was sitting on the edge of my seat, leaning forward with anticipation, and holding my breath was the exact moment I knew I was a fan. I was transported into the the world of Closer by Circa.
We live in a world where we can see incredible displays of human achievement on TV, in the cinema, online, but there is nothing quite like seeing such a spectacle performed in an intimate settings only a couple of metres from your seat. The five skilled performers captivated the imagination of an entire audience with nothing more than chairs, ropes, a trapeze, and their sheer raw talent.
Last week Roma and I visited the Udderbelly Festival at London’s Southbank Centre to watch Closer by Circa. Circa, an internationally acclaimed circus company known for their unique interpretation of the modern circus, returns to London for their longest season to date with Closer.
Closer, a show which was specifically commissioned for the Udderbelly Festival, looks at the human body and the authenticity of its performers as they dazzle the audience with incredible and emotional acrobatic displays.
Closer
Directed by Australian Yaron Lifschitz, creator of other Circa works The Return, Carnival of the Animals, and How Like an Angel. The cast consists of five talented and incredibly athletic performers; Jarred Dewey, Lisa Goldsworthy, Lauren Herley, Daniel O’Brien, and Kimberly O’Brien.
All these talented performers have spent years working in the field of acrobatics, gymnastics, and there is no denying that they are all masters of their craft. Sitting in the audience and watching these performers take the air or embrace each other as they conduct some amazing aerial feats can be best described as poetry in motion. Simply spellbinding.
The Stage
The stage was basic. No fancy backdrop, lights, or TV screens. Nothing that can distract from the performers on stage. The show opens with 5 chairs against a black curtain and a performance area that was no larger than a standard living room. It was the epitome of an intimate performance which only served to strengthen the emotional connection with the audience.
Music
One of the best way to build an emotional connection with the audience is with the use of music, and the music used throughout the entire performance was perfect. Music forms such an important music of Closer that there is even a musical interlude where the audience is treated (and involved with) a rendition of the classic Oasis hit, Champagne Supernova.
Some of the music featured during the performance included; a remix of My Baby Shot Me Down, Champagne Supernova, The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony, and Frank Sinatra’s Send in the Clowns.
Comic Relief
As with any good circus, there were moments of comic relief which took the form of audience volunteers, which resulted in me looking straight ahead and repeating to myself ”please don’t pick me, please don’t pick me, please don’t pick me’ but when seeing what they actually had to do, I did think “oh I could have done that”. Moral of the story. Don’t be afraid, embrace the nerves.
The Venue
As much as I loved the performance, I felt that the theatre was merely OK. The seats were really tight, kind of economy air plane class because they packed in as many people as they could, given the intimate setting for the show. We had the purple sirloin seats, a section in the middle of the theatre, which were an extra £5 because they are considered to be the best seats in the house. However most of the performances take place in the air -on a rope, swing, or a pile of chairs – I think everyone had a pretty good view of the action. It’s completely up to you whether you purchase the sirloin seats for the extra money but not sure it’s required.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always believed that the sign of a good show is when you forget about what time it is because you’re so focused on the performance in front of you. Closer by Circa draws you in, captures your imagination, and whisks you into a world of pure poetry in motion.
The Essential
Location: Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre, London
When: now until 12 June 2016.
Cost: £24 standard, £29 Sirloin seats (concession prices available)
Disclaimer
Roaming Required was a guest of Udderbelly Festival for this performance of Closer by Circa. All opinions expressed in this review are our own.
Just amazing… nothing like watching performances live … the aerobatics combined with music…wow
Absolutely agreed, Maria. It’s the whole atmosphere which adds to the excitement of a live performance