Festival DANCE
BIANCO Recklessly beautiful runaway magic
N oFit State Circus is by its own admission ‘turning savage’ in this big- top spectacular, directed by Firenza Guidi aided by a team of designers. Anarchy is the order of the day; live music capers brassily up and down, performers gabble away to each other words we can’t hear in languages we don’t understand. Acrobats yank back and forth clinging to lampshades, hoops and beaded boxes; trapeze artists spin recklessly mid-air. Meanwhile, down below, the metal set takes a hammering in prison-style riots and trampoline chaos, as we are invited to walk, stand, sit on the ground, and indulge in the beauty and the lawlessness around us. A renegade punkish vibe pulses a wild heartbeat through Bianco from start to finish. The acrobats swing hard and fly fast. Even August Dakteris’ soulful fire-lit turn on aerial straps and Lyndall Merry and Freya
Watson’s intimate tangle on doubles trapeze have a devil-may-care edge of abandon that is a pure pleasure to behold. This is made even more fitting after reading that Dakteris ran away with the company in 2009, joining as a volunteer midway through a tour, and is now undoubtedly one of its brightest stars. The magic NoFit State creates when it parks up its big top and caravans is unique, preserving the lifestyle, essence and ethos of European circus, but at the same time redefining it artistically for a contemporary audience. If there’s one circus everyone will want to run away with come September, it’s this one. (Lucy Ribchester)
NoFit State Big Top, 0333 222 9000, until 26 Aug (not 20), 8pm, matinees 14, 17, 21, 24, 2.30pm, £18 (£16). ●●●●●
For more info go to LIST.CO.UK /FESTIVAL
HITLIST THE BEST DANCE EVENTS
✽ Ménage à Trois A truly beautiful and thought-provoking solo from dancer Claire Cunningham, during which you also get to hear her amazing soprano voice. See review, page 56. Paterson’s Land, 662 6892, until 25 Aug (not 15, 19, 20, 22), times vary, £14 (£11.50).
✽ Bianco Circus goes wild (even more than usual) in this thrilling and visually stunning work from NoFit State Circus. See review, left. NoFit State Big Top, 0333 222 9000, until 26 Aug (not 20), 8pm (matinees 14, 17, 21, 24, 2.30pm), £18 (£16).
✽ The Lock In Even without a drink in your hand, there’s more fun to be had in this pub than your average local, as hip hop and folk dance collide. See review, page 57. Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 16 Aug), 7.10pm, £12 (£10).
✽ Circa: Wunderkammer
While other circus shows go for chaotic wonder, Australia’s Circa keep it stripped back, skilful and oh so beautiful. See review,
page 56. Underbelly Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 26 Aug (not 20), 5pm, £16.50– £18.50 (£15.50–£17.50).
✽ Cambuyón From tap dancing to hip hop, drumming to body percussion, this
homage to all things rhythmic is a joy from start to finish. See review, list.co.uk Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, until 26 Aug (not 13), 6pm, £15–£17.
✽ Dilemma Russian dancer Olga Kosterina makes her Fringe debut with this stunning
solo running the gamut of human emotions. Hill Street Theatre, 226 6522, until 25 Aug, 1pm, £11.50–£13.50 (£9.50–£11.50).
15–22 Aug 2013 THE LIST FESTIVAL 55
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