A man lies on the stage, shirtless and wearing only jeans. In agony, he struggles to stand as his body jerks and contorts, dragging itself across the stage. It’s both painful and beautiful. A pole descends from above as if reaching out to him. He grabs hold, and suddenly it appears as though he can stand. Much more than that, he will soon fly. Paradisum is Hungarian contemporary circus company Recirquel’s latest production, more daring and poetic than anything you’ve experienced before.
An astonishing display of strength and artistry
The show combines aerial and ground circus work with contemporary dance to portray the story of six beings in a fallen world. It’s hauntingly dystopian, simultaneously modern yet rooted in antiquity. The stage design is a work of art, with dramatic lighting that casts shadows and enhances the eerie atmosphere. Flashing lights add to the mystique, while the use of fabric and texture creates a captivating, otherworldly setting. The venue at Assembly Roxy, a former church, further amplifies the sense of darkness and otherworldliness. This thoughtful set design perfectly complements the impressive performances, leaving the audience in awe.
Paradisum puts the human body on full display. The costumes, consisting of skin-tight shorts and tops, highlight every muscle in each dancer. Additionally, the unique lighting creates contrasts that accentuate every contour of the body, leaving nothing hidden. The result is a visceral admiration for the beauty of the dancers on stage.
The six performers each showcase an impressive and unique array of skills, creating an astonishing display of strength and artistry. Their performances enhance the world-building, evoking a sensation of being suspended in time. This effect is achieved through the seamless transitions of movements and the complementary set design. In the room, the music is the only sound. The choreography is set to ethereal instrumental music, combined with powerful, brassy metallic sounds that create an immersive, unnerving atmosphere.
There is much meaning to unpack from this show. It is confronting and conveys a sense of depth, even if the full context isn’t immediately clear. The performance reflects on the human condition, contrasting the frailty of life in a shattered world with the resilience of the human body. Throughout the show, you’ll witness the dark beauty inherent in it all—a world that is both distant and intimately close to our own. It is breathing, living, moving physical poetry.
