In the realm of contemporary performing arts, few productions promise as profound an exploration of human experience as Kompani Giraff’s upcoming tour, “A Study of Losses.” Premiering at Jatka78 in Prague on September 10, 2024, this production marries the mesmerizing talents of circus performers with the evocative music of American artist Beirut, known offstage as Zach Condon.

The production draws its thematic essence from Judith Schalansky’s novel “Verzeichnis einiger Verluste,” which delves into life’s ephemeral nature through a lens of magical realism. Schalansky’s narrative, which beautifully captures the inevitable decay of objects, animals, and even ideas, serves as a poignant backdrop for this circus performance. The stage becomes a canvas where loss and disappearance are not just recounted but viscerally experienced, through a choreography that intertwines human performers with the ghostly presence of forgotten objects.

Zach Condon’s contribution to the production is significant, with 18 songs that not only underscore the performance but will also stand alone in an album set to be released concurrently with the show’s premiere. His compositions echo the thematic core of the novel, weaving a sonic landscape that complements the visual and physical expressions of loss portrayed by the circus artists.

Director Viktoria Dalborg describes the collaboration with Condon as instrumental in creating a “choreographic universe” where the music acts as the nervous system of the performance. This synergy is not accidental but a result of Condon’s deep dive into the thematic elements of Schalansky’s work, mirrored by his own artistic introspections and inspirations drawn from various musical traditions, including choir and renaissance music.

Kompani Giraff, known for its poetic narrative and magical realism in circus performance, has once again pushed the boundaries of what contemporary circus can convey. Founded in 2015, the Swedish company has continually explored new grounds in the performing arts, with a clear inclination towards productions that are not only visually captivating but also intellectually and emotionally stirring.

As “A Study of Losses” prepares to take audiences on a journey through a landscape of vanishing acts, it promises to be more than just a circus show; it is an immersive experience that reflects on the transient beauty of existence and the silent void left by the things we lose. The production, therefore, is not merely a display of physical feats but an invitation to ponder deeply personal questions about what each of us has lost and fears to lose.

The tour will make its way through various cities in Sweden and the Czech Republic, promising a spectacle where the marvels of the circus meet the introspective depth of music and narrative. As the big top beckons, “A Study of Losses” stands ready to offer a unique blend of entertainment and existential reflection, a hallmark of Kompani Giraff’s innovative approach to the art of circus.

Main image: Elsa Lardier, Siméon Gratini. Photo: Klara G