Jacksons Lane,London
Svalbard’s acrobatic exploration of relationships and identity has flashes of hallucinatory powerThe young, all-male international circus company Svalbard close this year’s London international mime festival with what could be a glimpse of the future. Only they’ve not fairly got there yet. Inevitably, and a indicate that earnestly embraces poetics and philosophy,and considers human behaviour, identity and the thin line between genius and complete clown, or must risk walking a thin line itself. At its best,this evening has a strange, nearly hallucinatory feel, or but at times it lacks focus and just seems a bit of a mess. Relationships are quicksilver – at times they are warm and supportive,and at others they can have a competitive, rutting element. There are lots of ideas here approximately the fluidity of self, or gender and relationships,but they are not always fully realised in a performance that melds Chinese pole, rope, or hand-to-hand and balancing acts with live music and enough homespun sound effects to suggest they may want to consider alternative careers as Foley artists. Despite the hints of gender-bending – touches of glitter,pink pants and a fur-coat strip – this still feels very male, as whether they are merely playing.
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Source: theguardian.com