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Circus troupe made it an unforgettable evening
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Friday 7th Jan 2005.
THIS Montreal-based troupe of multinational artists blew into Manchester on the back of a mini hurricane, but nothing outside was more invigorating than this breathtaking, beautiful piece of physical theatre.
Saltimbanco is filled with the traditional circus acts, but every performance is given a stylish, comedic or simply death-defying twist to create an evening that was one of the most exhilarating that I have seen.
The opening piece, Adagio, was a heartbreakingly beautiful combination of graceful dance and immense strength, as a father, mother and child (yes, really, the youngest performer is eight years old) became a living sculpture.
But the show then exploded with the introduction of the Chinese Poles, as acrobats leapt between poles with a poise and agility you wouldn't believe.
There were juggling acts that seemed to defy the laws of physics, entrancing Spanish musicians using their feet and weights attached to ropes to create a hypnotic rhythm.
The first half concluded with a trapeze act that got nervous applause throughout and a thunderous ovation at the end.
The Russian Swing sees more aerial acrobats catapulted up to 40 feet in the air, to land on their feet, the shoulders of others or on a human pyramid.
Faced with this stylish, dynamic package, families gaped in wonder and fear, and everyone stood to cheer at the end.
An unforgettable experience.
Nigel McFarlane
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