Circolombia
Underbelly Festival, South Bank.
24th May – 14th July.
Circolombia | Review
“Up here, I can feel my heart…”
…chanted by an aerialist suspended 30 feet above our heads on a loop of rope, swinging away merrily, like a child on a playground swing. This is Circolombia and it is not for the faint-hearted.
Coming to our shores from Bogota, Colombia, Circolombia is an extraordinary feat of acrobatics, aerial work and all-round daredevil circus. With a cast of thirteen multitalented performers, Circolombia promises ‘guts, grace and gusto’ and is determined to live up to this. Be prepared to witness circus at its most high-flying (and be prepared for the lip-biting, edge-edge-of-your-seat anticipation that comes with it).
Director and Creative Producer Felicity Simpson may be a home-grown British Circus performer, but the show she has devised here is flavoured purely with Colombian spice. Live music and powerhouse vocals are provided by Diana Montoya and Liana Velasquez, who also do their share of dancing. Unfortunately, as my Spanish is severely rusty, the lyrics of the songs went completely over my head… still, the up-tempo beat and belting solos can only add to the sense of spectacle in this performance.
Each of the artists is a strong link in this circus chain, but a particular highlight for me, aerial fan that I am, was the straps duet, performed by Laura Lloreda and Cristian ‘Palomo’ Triviño. A warning though, be prepared for the stunningly risky ending! Special mention too must go to Julia Sanchez, performing cloud swing (I admit, I had to look this one up, it’s the swinging rope from the top paragraph), whilst reminding her captive audience to breathe and take in the moment.
Circolombia is a striking show, full of outrageous stunts and aerial work. Faces concentrating, palms sweating, breaths held – and that was just us sitting in the audience! A gravity defying performance.
Reviewer: Jemma Gould
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Circolombia at Underbelly Festival, South Bank.
24th May – 14th July.
Tuesday-Friday 7:30 pm. Saturdays 3:00pm & 6:00pm. Sundays 6:00pm.
Director & Creative Producer: Felicity Simpson
Musical Director: Ryan Wilmott
Technical & Light Designer: James Loudon
With the support of the Colombian Ministry of Culture and the Colombian Embassy.