Review - Backbone

Gravity and Other Myths for the Melbourne Festival

Bring us

BACKBONE

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

1hour 15 mins, no interval

Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 October 2017

Director – Darcy Grant

Designer – Geoff Cobham

Ensemble:  Martin Schreiber, Lachlan Binns, Jascha Boyce, Jacob Randell, Lewie West, Lewis Rankin, Joanne Curry, Mieke Lizotte, Lachlan Harper and Jackson Manson

Music

Elliot Zoerner

Shenton Gregory

Backbone is the most elevating and enjoyable celebration of human circus feats of acrobatics from Australia’s longest running acrobatic ensemble.  From the very opening moments when all performers stand up and start moving the audience is engaged in lively surprising, imaginative feats of strength, lifting, jumping, flipping and extraordinary balancing.  The whole us underscored with vital live music from Elliot Zoerner and Shenton Gregory.

Although a times definitely dangerous and suspenseful there is always a sense of shared responsibility and duty of care for each other.  This troupe of seven young men and three young - amazingly agile and game young women - dazzle the audience with their athleticism.  They are truly remarkable and their performance is deeply heartwarming because it seems to come from such a genuine place of wholesome integrity.

Gravity and Other Myths started working together almost 18 years ago when the core group met at the Cirkidz youth circus program in Adelaide.  They are now experiencing considerable success and are in demand.  And it is easy to see why sitting in an audience that is totally invigorated by what they are watching.  However, I couldn’t help wondering if it is time for them to find an artistic director and perhaps to begin to create works with more complex meaning perhaps a narrative. 

Looking for something to take the family to this Melbourne Festival?  Well this is the perfect double bill for the whole family with Dark Circus  at 6pm and a brisk walk from the Beckett at Malthouse to the Playhouse at the Arts Centre. Backbone as light no nonsense, clean and uncluttered with message is the complete antidote to the pensive dark inference laden work of Dark Circus from the brooding duo that is Steroptik from France.

Don’t miss this opportunity to revel in the Circus Arts both dark and light.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)