A Simple Space. Photo by Chris Hertzfeld.
Presented by Gravity & Other Myths
Reviewed 14 February 2015
One of Adelaide’s own circus troupes, A Simple Space, have won the gong for best circus in the 2010 and 2014 Fringe Awards. It’s a clear choice once you’ve seen them in action, not just for their skills but their staging.
As the name suggests, they use a simple space – a small bare stage with four short lighting poles, one in each corner, which they manually switch on and off for different lighting effects. The troupe use no tricks or loud music to add to the drama – they simply perform with some unobtrusive live instrumentation by one of the team to accompany them.
The most immediate impression, other than thinking of their impressive talents and flexibility, is that they bring a sense of fun to the proceedings. At all times, there’s a feeling that we’re simply watching a bunch of mates mucking about and enjoying themselves. That sense of fun permeates everything they do and is perhaps the most infectious ‘it’ factor of the show.
The other ‘it’ factor, of course, is what they do. From the opening Falling routine, to strip skipping, their supple bodies bend, flip, balance and lift. They create human pylons, walk and jump on each other, and throw each other around like ragdolls. While the basics of most stunts can be seen in any human circus, A Simple Space do what all good circuses do – they make it their own by making it feel fresh and exciting again.
A Simple Space is simply sensational and last year’s hype is easily met again this year.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 5: 4
Venue: The Menagerie, Royal Croquet Club, Victoria Square, Adelaide
Season: 14 February – 15 March 2015
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $25 – $35
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)
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