A mesmerising show, it felt as soothing as its title
Presented by: Casus Creations
Reviewed: 27 February, 2023
Apricity.
Such a beautiful word that is no longer in common usage.
What does it mean? The show feels like watching a contemporary dance performance, acrobatic style, and the word refers to the warmth of the sun in winter.
What I enjoyed most about this display was its minimalism. Befitting of the title the joy was found in little things. I was not distracted by lots of lights or props, in fact there were very few props. The lights used were in the beginning, a little one in a candle holder which was treasured (my interpretation was that it represented the sun), bringing delight to be shared amongst those on stage. Like basking in the sun. The only other set of lights was later on, for balancing acts. All other props that arose were an act at a time such as hoops, tightropes, and the like.
Accompanied by similarly modest music that was gentle at first, then reflected the sounds of a festival on the beach, the music chosen, some with multiple instruments, created a balanced atmosphere. The pace was initially slow and relaxed with gradation to a more upbeat pace. Despite the increase in pace, you feel as though you are inside a bubble, calmly and simultaneously observing the more daring feats unfolding before you.
A note on the performers. Watching independent artist Mayu Mato, is like watching someone playfully perform acrobatic feats; she always appears to be always smiling. Her gravitational feats are executed in a joyful and carefree fashion as she fearlessly trusts her colleagues to capture her. Her background in dance is evident as her movements are graceful, seamless and flow easily when tumbling with or without her peers.
The tightrope is always a favourite of mine and both Mayu Mato and co-founder of Apricity’s producers Casus Creations, Lachlan Mcaulay, took part, each with a different approach, and each with a solo part.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus graduate and winner of two Matilda Awards, Amy Stuart is so strong and confident in everything without ever showing strain on her face at all. Her poise is consistent throughout. Jesse Scott is also a Flying Fruit Fly Circus graduate, the part I remember most about him was how well he used his head for balancing other performers, again with consistent poise. Scott, like Mcaulay, is also a co-founder of Casus Creations.
The duo act of these two co-founders (the third being Natano Fa’anana, who was not part of this show) was well choreographed. In playful tones, the height difference was an embedded part of the choreography of this set. For example, at the end there is an amusing part where Mcaulay lands on Scott’s back, turning it into a piggyback. The fifth aerialist is Australian actress Harlow Carey.
As you enter the Vault to watch this show, you really need to have in mind the meaning of the word Apricity, as otherwise, the story through the first few sets makes little sense, and you may be left wondering what they are going on about. The entire performance is like the warmth of the summer sun in winter, where you don’t feel the cold or chaos around you, and you have found this tiny spot of peace and calm, which is joyful and content, yet exciting at the same time!
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
Venue: The Vault at Fool’s Paradise
Season: Tue, 27 Feb – Sun, 03 Mar
Duration: 60 min
Tickets: $28 to $32
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/apricity-af2024
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