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Circolombia: Corazón

 
Lisa Simonis Review by Lisa Simonis 4 Published: 7 Aug 2024 Assembly George Square Gardens Show Dates: 1 Aug 2024-25 Aug 2024

The show begins with a woman singing, suspended from the ceiling as her crimson red skirt cascades down to the stage. Her melancholic voice ebbs and flows, filling the tent. Suddenly, the sound of a beating heart joins in, starting faintly and growing louder. It’s a moving performance that feels intimate and raw. Circolombia: Corazón opens its heart with its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, direct from Colombia. The cast of five members will captivate you with their singing, dancing, and daring acrobatics.

A love letter to Colombia

Colombia is known for its rich culture of music, dance, cuisine, and language. This show highlights some aspects of Colombia's vibrant culture but doesn't fully cover its breadth. However, no single show could truly capture it all. Corazón serves as a captivating introduction that sparks interest and curiosity, rather than a comprehensive exploration.

You will witness a stunning array of flying acrobatics, singing, dancing, and tumbling. Each performer embodies a character with a unique skill, gradually revealed as the show progresses. They support each other as the small cast takes turns on stage. The charismatic MC holds the show together. She is sassy and witty, masterfully engaging the audience with her charm and quick humour. Meanwhile, the rest of the members, who are acrobats, display their incredible talents with breathtaking stunts and seamless coordination. Their abilities truly shine, especially towards the end of the performance. Although the show has some pacing issues, with the first half moving slowly and delaying audience gratification, the second half more than compensates with its captivating display of talent.

Colourful costumes dazzle, giving each member a unique personality and look, including a masked strongman. The show's dramatic lighting highlights the flying acrobatics overhead. They perform to and interpret a diverse range of music, including 80s Latin hits, freestyle rap, mambo, and cumbia. The stage is a long walkway with a circular platform at the end, providing a good view from every angle. Props and rigs are changed throughout the performance as new acrobatics are introduced.

Corazón is more than just a circus performance; it's about having fun, and it's evident that the cast enjoys their time on stage. They laugh and interact with each other during comedy skits, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. There is also some audience participation that warmly invites everyone into Colombian culture. You will also learn some Spanish along the way. Corazón is truly a love letter to Colombia.

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The Blurb:

With nerves of steel, music from the soul and tons of Colombian spirit, Circolombia welcomes you into their house, their home, their heart! All the way from South America, created especially for the Spiegeltent! In this world premiere, Circolombia invites you to experience Corazón (Heart). A fun-fuelled circus concert, packed with breathless feats, gravity-defying performance and infectious music where you, the audience, are taken right into their beating Latin hearts. Colombia is the land of a thousand rhythms. Vibrant, passionate and pulsating with energy. 'This is the circus that shows others how it's done. Go' (Scotsman).