The line between circus and physical theatre has been blurring for years now and The Displaced is a magnificent example of how the two art-forms are merging. A cast of seven circus performers have collaborated to create a beautiful performance piece that aches with expression and emotion. The circus tricks are pretty good too.
Moments are shocking in their brutality.
Opening with a live soundtrack performed by Hamish McCourty, this is a show where the cast seem isolated even as they interact, intertwine and occasionally interrupt each other’s performances. There’s no speaking or any indication of what it all means so the audience are, by omission of this, invited to come to their own conclusions. We see sensual acrobalance, dance, juggling and tumbling that may or may not have meaning but certainly elicits a visceral response. Some moments are entrancing in their simplicity – when the cast spend time traversing the stage, bumping and crashing into each other. Other moments are shocking in their brutality – when one cast member violently and repeatedly throws another to the ground. The silence of the audience is gravid with anticipation throughout and I often find myself leaning forward to be more engaged with the action on stage.
Should I be concerned that The Displaced appears to have no underlying meaning? Possibly not. This show stands on its own in a saturated market of ‘edgy’ circus and, with a simple premise done well, it stands out and marks Time In Space as a company I shall watch with interest.
