Presented by Gravity & Other Myths
Reviewed 21st February 2020
Jointly directed by five of Gravity & Other Myths’ outstanding team with Elliot Zoerner as musical composer, performers Andre Augustus, Annalise Moore, Chris Carlos, Benton Adams-Walker, Josh Strachan, Ashleigh Pearce, Alexander Flood and Will Meager put on a remarkable performance of physical feats in A Simple Space. It is one of my favourite circus theatre shows at the Fringe this year.
Not only do they have you in awe from the outset, they are highly entertaining at the same time. There is a lot of humour using facials and gestures; in fact throughout the entire production there is little speech at all; their ability to express thoughts and engage the audience using only body language makes you appreciate that it is it not just physical prowess they have perfected.
After the first introductory set, there is a little bit of strip skipping to get the ball rolling and the variety of acts thereafter leave never a dull moment. There are flips, balancing acts and human towers presented with a backdrop of fantastic beats. A few competitive banter sets throughout the performance keep it lighthearted and fun; as an audience you even get a chance to participate!
All acts are excellent with a closing showpiece that merges all of the skill, camaraderie, trust, synchronicity and extraordinary strength of the team for an ultimate finale.
The outstanding success of A Simple Space since its first performance in 2013 is indisputable as it returns to the Adelaide Fringe for the sixth time. A winner of multiple awards since inception, the talented Gravity & Other Myths’ performers focus on testing their physical limits more so than dazzling the crowds with illumination; as such two of their awards are Best Circus Awards – Adelaide Fringe, 2014 and Emilio Zapatero, 2019. Its engaging stimulating set is a refreshing change from the razzle-dazzle relied upon by several modern productions today.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: The Octagon at Gluttony – Rymill Park
Season: Thursday 20th February – 15th
March 2020
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $25-$40.00
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/a-simple-space-af2020?venue=166%3A17
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