Adelaide’s Backbone Circus, performing at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 16th-17th of February, presented by Gravity & Other Myths in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse, has some serious backbone. We’re talking tricks and flips and stunts that go beyond what I have ever seen before. Not only is there an artistic flair and theme that builds up throughout the performance but the level of expertise in the circus acts is shockingly unreal.
Where does one start? How does one explain what one has seen that is unlike anything they have witnessed before? It’s one thing to do a human pyramid, it’s another to build on top of one base, one person, and build some more - until you have four people stacked on top of each other - reaching the limits of the performance space. The three women in the team, each small and flexible, were thrown around the space with such speed and precision that is was almost frightening from a viewer’s perspective.
I mentioned the word frightening because some of the acts push beyond simple acrobatics and flirt with the line that has danger on the other side. The amount of strength and muscle in the team of acrobats was evident, and it was clear that the level of trust was something that each of these performers carried with them because they would otherwise never be able to pull off such stunts without it.
The trust, the care and love the acrobats share for one another is evident through the way they work together to pull off the stunts and it is beautiful to watch and witness these performers pushing against human limitation to present beauty and meaning within their work.
I could try to explain the way that these acrobats work with one another to get speed, height, and precision in their acts, whilst focus, balance and raw strength is required by each member of the team to be able to pull off the stunt seamlessly. I could mention that the women in the team were stretched like elastic bands and pulled off stunts that include an enormous amount of concentration, requiring such an ability to balance and focus, against all odds, that I haven’t seen before.
I could try to breakdown the impossibilities of each act but that would ruin the surprise. I suggest you keep a very close eye on Gravity & Other Myths and make sure you don’t miss out on their next show. Backbone received a standing ovation at the end of their performance, and it is no surprise why.
By Joanna Letic