A Simple Space

Gravity and Other Myths are the future of contemporary circus and their show A Simple Space is utterly unmissable. The genius of their show lies in its simplicity – surprise surprise – dispensing with characters, narrative and anything that you would think belongs in a traditional circus. Using just their bodies and an electric drum kit the company of acrobats play games and compete with each other (and occasionally the audience) to create an amazingly relaxed yet gripping and playful performance.

If by some travesty it isn’t sold out then book a ticket now, if they are deservedly sold out then beg, borrow or steal a ticket!

The games and competitive format is incredibly effective as it morphs from a seemingly simple game that even we could try (and most likely fail at) into a series of increasingly impossible acts reserved only for the superhumans of the circus. Also the electric drum kit adds an extra layer of excitement to the performance – in one game the acrobats line up to perform back flips in time to the drums and as the beat gets faster and performers get knocked out of each round we’re left on the edges of our seats. All this and we’ve not even reached the most spectacular feats of their acrobatic skills yet – it seems this is just a warm up. By the end of the show we’re left in absolutely no doubt that gravity is just one of many myths for this company as they effortlessly jump from human tower to human tower, and create webs of spiralling human jump ropes.

A final special mention must go out to the lighting design as it’s another perfect example of the show’s beautiful simplicity. About six tiny lanterns are suspended on four poles at each corner with the performers turning them on and off to create simple yet striking images while subtly drawing attention to the performers’ incredible skills.

If by some travesty it isn’t sold out then book a ticket now, if they are deservedly sold out then beg, borrow or steal a ticket!