CLOSING OF THE FESTIVAL. Circus performance „Glorious Bodies“ / Cie Circumstances (Belgium)

Concept, choreography: Piet Van Dycke

Performers: Winfried Deuling, Astrid Schöne, Det Rijven, Thorsten Bohle, Paul Griffioen en Johannes Fischer

Music: Kris Auwers

Installation: Arjan Kruidhof en Arjen Schoneveld

Dramaturgy: Marie Peeters

Costumes: Oona Mampuys

Light design, technique Casper Van Overschee

Executive producer: Sam Cunningham

Production: Circumstances

Coproduction: PLAN, Festival Circolo, DansBrabant, Cirklabo, Circuswerkplaats Dommelhof, PERPLX, Perpodium

Special thanks to: Miramiro, Destelheide, Wybren Wouda

With support of: The Flemish Government, Grensverleggers/deBuren 

Duration: 60 min.

Location: @Fishermen Palace (Taikos pr. 70)

RECOMMENDED for those who believe in eternal youth

“The standing ovation and the minutes-long applause testify the beauty and power of the performance that touched the spectators of all ages.” Margot De Grave Loyson, e-tcetera / “Do aging artists still matter? The pure performance, intense collaboration, and acrobatic mastery make any doubt about the answer to that question completely unnecessary.” Frens te Kiefte, Circusweb / “I was deeply moved. Here we see people who don't give up, but who no longer must hide how hard work this is for them. You feel the admiration that the choreographer has for his performers and notice how intensely they enjoy that performance.” Wijbrand Schaap, Cultuurpers

GLORIOUS BODIES is a physical, moving, and hopeful circus and dance performance about the capacity of our bodies, about seeing and being seen, about the border between classical and contemporary circus with six acrobats between 55 and 67 years old, each with a past in the (more) classical circus. Circus history archived in the body.

Aging remains a taboo in our society and certainly in the circus world. Like top athletes, most acrobats stop their intensive training regimen after a certain age. How do the most perfect bodies transform? As a human being, can you ever make peace with your own body? Can you be completely in harmony? GLORIOUS BODIES shine a light on the process of aging in a unique way. A process that happens to all of us. Something that is, in fact, happening right now, at this very moment.

The roots of the performance can be found in partner acrobatics and movement. GLORIOUS BODIES dismantles the clichés of the older generation. An impressive, charming, and humorous performance that shows us what the human body is capable of. A capacity that is clearly timeless and ageless.

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Circumstances (founded in 2021) is a Flemish circus and dance company that brings together a diverse team of artists for each production. We create performance collectively, every link in the chain matters. Circumstances is supported by a dedicated core team of enthusiastic collaborators behind the scenes. We are known for our drive, passion and flexibility. Joy, wonder and trust are woven into everything we do. We aim to bring circus and dance closer to a broad and diverse audience. https://www.circumstances.be/

 

Photo: from the company archive