While the circus has received a barrage of bad publicity in recent years and suffered dwindling crowds, NoFit State’s tremendous new experience Bianco proves that the circus can still wow and enthral audiences of all ages. Stripped-back and irrefutably elegant Bianco is a combination of death-defying acrobatics, theatre and stunning visual art. A must-see at this year’s Brighton Fringe. Where NoFit State really excels is in their incredible versatility. Bianco exposes the core values upholding traditional circus entertainment by stripping the experience back to a contemporary white palette and ever-moving, skeletal set. We are shown every rope, every pulley and even the scaffolding is totally unadorned. Essentially we are witness to the astonishing driving force behind such a performance. The way the set is pulled apart and reworked by the cast who remain flawlessly in character is as much a part of the show as each sensational act. There is almost too much to take in!
Bianco opens up the idea of the circus to a standing, free-moving audience who are constantly walking around, beneath and beside the performers as the show shifts and transforms with relentless energy and beauty. Honest and sometimes rough around the edges Bianco is a truly thrilling experience that couples moments of sheer fun with shock value and an ever-present sense of the unanticipated.
While it is true that Bianco strips back the circus to its basic, riveting principles it also complements the sparseness with innovative and exciting elements which propel the show into unmissable territory. The tightrope is made sexy with stilettos and flowers and a mind-blowing juggling routine is rendered chic and sophisticated with a monologue of French discourse. Supported by an impeccable live band which furthers the rawness and directness of this stunning new production, Bianco totally succeeds in reinventing the circus.
Dynamic, exhilarating and at times genuinely moving Bianco is an extraordinary illustration of what contemporary circus can look like. Faultlessly choreographed and stylised this is an original and enthusiastically performed experience that is certain to leave you speechless if not a converted circus fanatic.
