UPLIGHTING IN SPIRIT AND MOVEMENT, THIS SHOW IS A MUST SEE

By Madeleine Anderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

‘The Genesis’ from The Copenhagen Collective tests the limits of human-strength, trust and determination in its fast and gripping contemporary circus experience.

The cast of 17 acrobats totally dominate the stage, giving audiences no choice but to gasp, applaud and hold their breath during the hour-long performance.

The message of the show is clear: we cannot survive on our own, and we can only create truly great things when we work together.

This is certainly true for The Copenhagen Collective, with performers showing immense trust in gravity-defying movements, like when four performers stand on each other’s shoulders to create a solid line which stands with defiant stillness at the centre of the stage.

At one point during the performance, one acrobat shouted for others to ‘stop’, recognising that the move the group was attempting was too risky for that moment.

The vulnerability of performers, to push themselves to their utter physical limit without ever losing sight of one another, was touching and resonated through how the performers were with one another as much as through the dancing itself.

Alongside these tense and tightly arranging gymnastic tricks are looser and larger sections where the cast runs in hypnotic circles across the stage. What stood out here was how individual dancers were able to make their movements their own, whilst keeping time and formation with the wider troupe. Through shouts, smiles and jolting jumps, each of the acrobats had a moment where the audience was focused entirely on them.

The Genesis uses a combination of silence and an original soundscape from Leif Jordansson during the performance, which includes classical violin, electronic beats and spoken elements. The range of sounds played during the performance speaks to the journey of emotions that the audience is taken on and maintains an emotional rawness which never wavers.

Beyond defying the limits of human-strength, The Genesis also tests the boundaries of human identity, using strong female bases and light and delicate male flyers to upend the gender norms typically seen in dance and gymnastics.

Uplifting in spirit and movement, this show is a must see.

The Genesis is being performed at the Peacock Theatre from Thursday 4 September to Saturday 6 September.

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Photo Credit: David Poznic