ARTS- PREVIEW: CIRCA AT SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA

When most people hear the word “circus” they think jumping tigers, painted elephants, clowns, and roasted peanuts.

It was during the early 1990’s when the circus rolled into my town. My parents, always looking for activities to occupy their hyperactive child (me J), bought tickets. We arrived at the show and my interests were heightened as I watched the empty three ring stage. The lights dimmed and the show started. Animals appeared from each corner of the arena. Halfway into the show I lost interest when my hungry stomach growls grew to be louder than those of the tigers. I joined my parents on a trip to the peanut stand. On the way, what we saw backstage quieted the hungry sounds of my belly. We witnessed, firsthand, the abuse of an innocent tiger. My mother was appalled by the disgusting scene and made us leave immediately. We never returned to the circus again.

Almost two decades later, as I peruse the annual Spoleto Festival’s performance lineup, the word “Circa” of course catches my eye. My first thoughts: “I hope this doesn’t involve animals.” But as I look into it more, I realize that this isn’t your typical circus. The seven- performer (humans only!), Brisbane- based show is way more, displaying technical stunts, spectacular lighting, and crowd capturing tunes.

The Spoleto Festival USA, held in Charleston, SC, is an internationally recognized performing arts festival, and the premier performing arts festival in America. Each May, the event infiltrates Charleston’s historic event venues for 17 days and nights of riveting performances. I went to the festival a few times when I was young, and once in college, and have always appreciated the professionalism and high caliber of the artistic routines. My interests are therefore even further sparked, as I read through the reviews of the Circa’s shows. Spoleto’s assessment of the show describes the act as “combining heart- stopping acrobatics with contemporary choreography and cheeky humor.” They go on to discuss the “extreme physical feats [which are] framed by dramatic lighting and projections and set to an eclectic soundtrack ranging from Leonard Cohen and Radiohead to Apehx Twin.” According to the Circa website, the Circa show premiered in 2009, and is advertised as Circa’s most accessible and engaging work.

This description of modern and breathtaking elements, along with the preview video on the website, has definitely pushed Circa to the top of my “performances I must see this year” list. I also enjoy the fact that it is family friendly. Besides performances, the company teaches circus to individuals ages three to sixty- three for a very affordable price. But while I probably won’t be learning acrobatics anytime soon, I may use this show as an opportunity to repay my parents for that heartbreaking 1990’s trip to the circus.

Circa performances run from June 7-12, 2011 and tickets are available on the Spoleto Festival USA website http://www.spoletousa.org.

For more information on the Spoleto Festival USA, visit http://www.spoletousa.org.

To learn more about Circa, go to http://www.circa.org.au.

- Bianca Jane Mitchell, Editor
biancajanemitchell@prippie.com