We sent our reviewer Kirsty to watch Circa: Humans 2.0

An incredible circus and acrobatic performance by a troupe of 11 performers, whom defy and push the boundaries of possibilities in this beautiful contemporary arts production.

The production was created by Yaron Lifschitz, the music by Ori Lichtik & the atmospheric lighting by the Paul Jackson.

The show starts in a deep darkness before moody lighting awakens 11 bodies lying on the ground. The performers then begin to link together and become interconnected walking round in a circle. Almost like an analog clock hand, before splitting off from one another then using there bodes to form towers and blocks.

Bodies are constantly flowing from and rolling around . Performers use each other to catch, fall and climb. There are aww gasping headstands on towers of performers, headstands on other performers hands. Even a headstand on another performers head! Performers bodies are constantly inter connecting and dancing around each other. The performers continue to climb on one another performing mid air splits and other gravity defying acrobatics. Whilst the performers appear to connect they are also pulling away from each other, as if by an invisible force. Almost as if to signify the struggles we as humans face can face in everyday life.

The music continually builds and crashes throughout the performance, adding to the anticipation of the exhilarating performance.


The mid part of the performance encompasses a variety of aerial performances. First the stage empties and two aerial strops are lowered to the centre of the stage. Here a female performer appears appeared in a tracksuit who then begins an aerial performance that sees the performer wriggle & manipulated their body into almost un-human like shapes & movements. The performer almost looks possessed as they continue to wrap and climb their body within the strops. Before coming to end.

At the end of the strops performance the stage again empties and darkness ensues. Before the 11 performers come back on stage, to continue with there flowing and skilfully high acrobatics. Its almost as if the performers are using each others bodies almost as gymnastic equipment to leap and bound to another, and to stand on. The stage goes into darkness again and the performers all leave the stage again. Leading on to the latter part of the show.

The next part of the performance is an aerial silks perforce by a solo performer. The stage lies in darkness for a moment, then the stage lighting changes and a performer appears in a black leotard and stands by two black silks in centre stage. The audience is then treated to another phenomenal aerial display. Signifying; strength and resilience we have as humans. The display sees the performer artistically climb and manipulate the silks in a beautiful flow. Whilst performing splits mid air in the silks, before tumbling & dropping down the silks to the floor.

Leading into the finale of the Humans 2.0 Performance ’
The end part of the performance sees the performers come back on stage in groups and pulse and break away from each other again. This leads into the final aerial act which is trapeze .All the performers come together to create a movements of togetherness and flying/pushing through the air as if to connect to one another. This then leans into the finale which sees the performer all link up again and form a line walking again in a continual smooth clockwise wise circular motion.

The simplicity in stage designs and costume is fitting for this deeply mesmerising & marvellous artistic performance.

Overall I would give Circa Humans 2.0 a 5* review. Th performance is like a perfect blend of circus, lyrical dance and acrobatics. The performance received a standing ovation from the audience. As I’m sure it does every performance as it was a such strong, relatable and exhilarating performance. With jaw dropping moments as as many of the acrobatics require impeccable timing and trust from other performers. As we in humans put out trust in others too.

Rating: ***** 5 stars