upfront
BRINGING BACK
BIANCO
WHAT springs to mind when you think of a night at the circus? Clowns, acrobats,
trained animals, trapeze acts, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists… not if you visit
a NoFit State Circus (OK, there will be some of those things, just cooler versions).
Returning from their triumphant sell-out run at the Perth International Arts
Festival, the Cardiff based contemporary circus company are coming home for
an energetic and electrifying run. NoFit State combine live music, dance, stage
design, text, and film with traditional circus skills to create a one of-a-kind event
that you’re unlikely to forget. NoFit State was founded by five friends in 1986 and,
after more than twenty-five years together, they still live, work and eat together
− making them more like a community than a performance company. Today,
they are the UK’s leading large-scale contemporary circus company, producing
professional touring productions.
Originally premiering in 2012, their Bianco experience has evolved into an
immersive promenade experience which takes place not just before your eyes, but
also above, behind and all around you and the rest of the standing audience. The
constantly evolving narrative and pounding soundtrack (performed by a live band)
sets the unrelenting pace, which will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout
the all consuming theatrical experience.
If you like the idea of running off to join the circus, NoFit State offer a wide range
of training and education projects for people of all ages. Their Cardiff base is a
haven of circus activity − from weekly courses for beginners and improvers to
one-on-one tuition and masterclasses for experienced professionals. So don’t
worry if you’ve yet to step foot on a trapeze wire, the NoFit State guys will show
you the ropes with classes in everything from handstands, acrobalance, juggling,
unicycle, hula hooping and tumbling. LAURA RILEY
Bianco, NoFit State Big Top, John Street, Cardiff, Fri 23 May-Sat
7 June. Tickets: £17/£14 conc/£12 child/£48 family ticket. Info:
www.nofitstate.org
PARTIES AND PUPPETS
THE award-winning Theatr Iolo have decades of experience in delivering
performances that touch on issues that are relevant to all of us in these modern
times, without shying away from the truth beneath the surface or the tougher
questions. They will be burning the candle at both ends this month as they have
not one show on at Chapter Arts Centre, but two.
The first show they’re setting up for this May is Angela Carter’s The Magic Toybox.
Based on the 1967 novel of the same name, The Magic Toybox follows orphaned
Melanie, who is forced to live with her strange relatives after her parents’ untimely
death, in this twisted fairytale of sexual awakenings, secrets and puppetry.
After that they will bring Made in China’s well received (four and five-star reviews
abound) Gym Party to the stage, which should certainly be in keeping with their
previous work and their vision to “share stories for a lifetime”.
A darkly humoured but inviting experience, you will watch as three contestants
(Chris, Jess and Ira) throw themselves into a variety of silly, hilarious and
heartbreaking tasks in their determination and commitment to win the affection
of the audience, win votes and ultimately win the competition. In between the
crazy contest they’ll share their own points of view, personal tales and the odd
dance – all whilst dressed in old school gym kits and neon wigs.
Gym Party is a razor-witted and black-humoured look at our worldly and intrinsic
need to be the best at whatever we do, no matter how ugly or seemingly trivial the
task. It’s a production that will speak to anyone who worries about the treatment
of humankind but ends up sidetracked by the inane bleatings of celebrity Twits.
With two tales edging on the dark side of the stage Theatr Iolo are encouraging
audience to get a taste of both shows, with a special offer if you buy tickets for
both the productions. ADRIENNE WALKER
The Magic Toyshop, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wed 7-Sat
17 May. Gym Party, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 16 + Sat 17
May. Tickets: each show £12/£10 conc, two-ticket deal £20/£18
conc. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org
BUZZ 30