Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Underbelly Circus Hub – until 28 August. Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan
5*****
The Australian Troupe is 10 members strong as they returned for an another year of the Edinburgh Festival.
The show began with the audience watching them as they wandered on and off the floor stage removing their clothing and trying on different items belonging to others. The performance itself began when one of the team placed a coat clad body in the middle of the floor and through movement the performer indicated what it was like to be Human showing the audience what they believed this to be, removing clothing for recycling and shredding the different layers they wore.
Using the medium of music to help interpret the contemporary dances and moves they performed. The core strength of each member of the troupe enhanced the artistic way they held each other with the hand to hand performances. A limited selection of different apparatus provided the show with a different style of entertainment, however the show was mainly displayed through the mediums of trapeze, using their bodies to display the beauty of poise as well as the bravery of trusting their team mates to support them as they pushed their bodies into the most amazing positions.
We watched as bodies were thrown, pushed, pulled and lifted at a speed which seemed almost impossible for the human body to maintain, and in normal circumstances would lead to dislocated bones, however not with these finely tuned athletes. The elegance of the teamwork was flawless and although the audience could be heard throughout the show letting out gasps of fear as the troupe supported each other as they stood one footed on their partners heads or walked across a spine with daring expertise, allowing us the pleasure of watching a world class troupe of individuals who shone as bright as stars each within their own right as well as a team.
The performance is definitely a 10 out of 10 and I would not hesitate in watching this show over and over again as I most likely missed parts due to the speed and professionalism of this group of artists. It seemed to end quicker than I expected as I could have sat for hours in awe of the amazing talent on display. The standing ovation was well deserved and the audience could not congratulate the troupe enough as they returned again and again to take a bow.
This is a must see for everyone to experience as this went above and beyond any Circus or Trapeze show I have ever witnessed before and it displays just how much respect the human body should be given to push it to what should be impossible positions. Outstanding!!!