BWW Reviews: LE NOIR – THE DARK SIDE OF CIRQUE Is A Thrilling Blend Of Old World Circus And Burlesque For The 21st Century.

Saturday 21st March 2015, Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star, Sydney

LE NOIR - THE DARK SIDE OF CIRQUE showcases the skills and technique of the circus from the grace of the Lira Aerial Hoop to the heart stopping Wheel of Death in the unusual space of a traditional theatre auditorium.

Tiered premium seats and ringside tables flank the risen round stage at the end of a catwalk on the main stage of the Sydney Lyric Theatre and the front rows of the house have been removed to accommodate additional performance space, bringing some of the aerial acts closer to the audience in the traditional seating of the stalls and dress circle.

Whilst the program sets out a sequence of performances grouped into 3 Acts, Blanc, Rouge and Noir, the line up for the night had been altered but the costuming indicates the original Act a piece was designed for. Blanc evokes a feeling of purity and innocence in their graceful, fluid movements, Rouge is more sensual and seductive and whilst all the performances are daring, the acts in Noir are 'heart in your mouth' breathtaking in their complexity.

The performances are tied together by a combination of the Master of Ceremonies come clown Salvador Salangsang and the dancers which cover transitions. Salangsang utilizes corny magic, mime and physical humor whilst drawing support from the audience on the stage with mixed results and some of his pieces could be shortened. The dancers, along with the artists not in act being prepared, add to the visuals that tie in with each theme from light catching dance, burlesque style fan dances, flag twirling and baton juggling, and imagery reminiscent of a New Orleans Jazz funeral complete with parasols and lanterns. The artists costuming naturally allows for clear view of the performers physique and ensures that they are unobstructed for their performance whilst the dancers add the flash and fancy with feathers, frills, flowing skirts, corsets and buff bodies.

Composer Julian Wiggins has created a soundscape to evoke memories of old world circuses with accordions and disjointed carnival tunes along with building on the three themes. The Aerial Hoop in Blanc for example is accompanied by a piano based sound whilst the Skaters in Rouge spin to a heavier, angrier beat and the Cyr Wheel in Noir is performed to an ominous electronic tone and the heart stopping moments in the most daring acts are met with complete silence. Christopher Boon Casey's lighting design and Angela Aaron's costuming also work with Wiggins' music to blends the traditional with the crisp brightness of a contemporary circus whilst adhering to the themes and without being garish or cutesy.

LE NOIR - THE DARK SIDE OF CIRQUE is a mesmerizing experience that focuses on the breathtaking skills with less focus on the underlying theme that links them unlike other Circus shows in the modern market. The choice of a minimalistic set and the disappearance of the extra performers during a number allows the audience to focus on the central performance and not be distracted by extraneous activity which is refreshing. Whilst some of the acts draw on skills often displayed in other circuses each feels fresh with variety and pace to keep the audience entranced.

LE NOIR - THE DARK SIDE OF CIRQUE

Sydney Lyric Pyrmont NSW

19 March - 5 April 2015

Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre

9 April - 18 April 2015

Adelaide Festival Centre: Festival Theatre

22 April - 2 May 2015

Canberra Arts Centre

6 May - 10 May 2015

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