The Pulse (Gravity & Other Myths, Aurora, Adelaide Festival) - CircusTalk

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The Pulse (Gravity & Other Myths, Aurora, Adelaide Festival)

The Adelaide-based contemporary circus troupe takes a bold leap forward with its latest, ambitious show.

There was a great deal of disappointment when the world premiere of The Pulse at the Sydney Festival was cancelled earlier this year. It was to have been the first production by the combined forces of the three international touring companies of Gravity & Other Myths, which had been grounded by the global pandemic. With border restrictions still in place, and faced with the prospect of missing out on performing in its home town of Adelaide, this troupe of acrobats and physical theatre makers decided to stay put.

Sydney’s loss was Adelaide’s gain, with The Pulse proving to be a major drawcard at this year’s Adelaide Festival – and for good reason. The skill, artistry and daring on display is breathtaking, even if the vision is ambiguous.

A co-production with women’s vocal ensemble Aurora (Young Adelaide Voices), this acrobatic showcase bears the markings of a fully-fledged theatrical piece. With a score composed by Ekrem Eli Phoenix, it opens with the choir chanting seemingly random numbers in a style that brings to mind Philip Glass. The company of acrobats-cum-dancers assemble one by one into a phalanx that then splits in two, before criss-crossing with impeccable precision reminiscent of William Forsythe’s Artifact Suite. As the dancers begin to climb up onto each other’s shoulders to form living totems that threaten to come crashing down, the choir’s chant becomes less random as it repeats the number of people stacked on top of one another … 2, 3, 4. It is hypnotic…

Read the Full Article atLimelight Magazine

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