BIANCO | STAGE REVIEW
NoFit State, John Street, Wed 18 June
Though this is a contemporary circus show, more about the elegant acrobatics than clown cars and lion tamers, that classic circussy sense of excitement still fills NoFit State’s big top tent.
Bianco is Cardiff’s signature circus company’s big annual show, and it’s now on its third round having premiered in 2013 and returned in a rejigged form in 2014. Having seen the show last year (and given it a glowing review) I was excited to see how this new version of Bianco (pushed as ‘bigger, better and more beautiful’) would compare.
Set in NoFit’s own big red tent Bianco certainly has a sense of occasion with the dynamic lighting, live band and tent itself all contributing to the feeling of being involved in something special. In the centre of the room were four towers of scaffolding that, during the performance, moved and manipulated to change the scene. As the set moves you, as an audience, do as well – meaning you can wander around the tent and try and get a glimpse of the action from every angle.
The show itself is a series of set pieces that include everything from balancing on a kettle, a synchronized trampoline swimming pool scene and a tightrope strip tease.
Some of the highlights for me included a dance trapeze performance by Angelique Ross, an elegant Ariel silk routine by Danilo Pacheco, a truly impressive Cyr wheel act by Fred Rendell and an all-men hula hopping sequence that looked like it could be something seen in a Magic Mike trailer.
The best part of the show was a doubles trapeze performance by Guillaume Blais and Delia Ceruti. A touching display that showed not only the great skill and strength of the performers, but also how emotional and awe-inspiring circus can be.
Largely my favourite parts of the show were these elegant ones, the pieces that looked like dance numbers in the air, and they are something Bianco does very well. They are well paced, touching and just plain pretty pieces. Unfortunately the show, as a whole, is let down slightly by some of its less touching parts. For a circus sketch to work it needs to be either funny, shocking or beautiful and Bianco didn’t always hit the mark on the former two topics. Were they’re shocking moments? Of course! Were their funny bits? Yes, but there were times where these boxes felt only half ticked. As a two hour long show it could probably benefit from cutting out one or two needless scenes.
Overall it’s still an impressive show, and the good parts are done incredibly well. A bit like any showcase there are some bits that are better than others, but the so-so skits are far outweighed by the stunning ones and well worth standing for.
words HEATHER ARNOLD photos RICHARD DAVENPORT
Bianco, NoFit State Big Top, John Street, Cardiff, until Sat 27 June. Tickets: from £18-£22 / £16-£18 conc/ £54-£62 family ticket. Info: www.nofitstate.org