Soho Theatre – until 9th February 2019
Reviewed by Elizabeth Smith
4****
No Show, directed by Ellie Dubois, is any thing but that. It is a great show depicting the years of training a person has to go through to become a circus performer. Who knew you could get a degree in the discipline.
With wit and extreme talent the five female performers take you on a journey form the initial circus performance with big smiles and “ta-da” arms to the reality of how these performers learn their trade and explain the possible dangers of the skills they perform. With a slip or a wobble leaving them flat on their faces, to bruises and broken bones, if not worse.
Kate Mc William describes how female performers have to contend with the sexist attitude of males in the industry, who get to perform the dynamic moves while the girls show off the splits. She then shows us just what these girlies can do with hands free cartwheels, over and over again, trying to beat a world record, leaving the audience dizzy from the spectacle.
Camille Toyer, an imp of a girl, takes on the Cyr Wheel, that looks like it weights a ton. She spin’s herself all over the black box stage with such grace it looks easy, to the free fall to the ground, as the wheel spins out like a twisting penny.
Alice Gilmartin tries to introduce herself to the audience but is silence each time by her fellow performers to show the world how good she is at hand stands. Not up against the wall like most of us tried in childhood, but suspended on two or one pole, while contorting her body into different shapes.
Francesca Hyde, plays the accordion and then swings from her hair while being balanced by a large barrel of water. The sequence enhanced by her troupe mates dancing out of the way of this swinging pendulum that could knock them into next week.
Michelle Ross performs the final death defying trapeze act, while the audience holds it breath, with great humour.
These girls are incredible strong but as graceful as any contemporary dancer.
A fantastic spectacle of skills, opening our eyes to the hardships and camaraderie of the troupe.