BIANCO | STAGE REVIEW
Wed 28 May, NoFit State, St John’s Street, Cardiff
Despite being far from the clown car and ring-master filled circuses I saw when I was growing up, the people at contemporary circus NoFit State hadn’t abandoned its roots as the smell of popcorn and that circussy sense of excitement was ever present during Bianco.
This show of acrobatics and circus skills is on its second round. Bianco premiered last year and was met with rave reviews as people were introduced to a more modern form of circus but, with the bar set so high, I wasn’t sure if this rejuvenated and revamped performance was going to be able make the leap.
I should have known better considering the high number of trained acrobat in the cast, they can jump over very high bars.
I walked into the Big Top tent on St John’s Street, right next door to where locals NoFit run their circus skills classes, to see four towers of scaffolding slap bang in the centre. I quickly realised this was going to be a show without a stage and without any seating.
Instead performers used the whole space fantastically by flying through the air, climbing up towers and running through the audience. As the show moved and changed you could move with it to, as fantastically dressed stewards guided the audience and helped you get the best view from a spot that was out of harm’s way.
Though this immersion gave the show a great liveliness, the bulk of the energy came from Binaco’s fabulous performers.
Having attempted to try out the flying trapeze recently I can vouch that it isn’t an easy task and what this cast was able to achieve was outstanding. My jaw dropped more than once.
There were screaming warrior women flying through the air, a man doing a impressive tightrope striptease and a guy that looked like Tarzan spinning in the air holding fire. It even had a kitchen sink (in which a woman washed her hair before balancing on a kettle).
There were some funny and energetic parts to the show, but the best pieces were the thoughtful and beautiful performances which can best be described as dances in the air.
There was one duet, in which two artists moved slowly around a rectangular trapeze, that was touching, beautiful and had a pounding change of pace.
The finale was equally touching and ended the show on a fantastic note as the performers joined the audience and everyone celebrated together.
Not only did NoFit State reach the high bar they set for themselves, but they back flipped over it whilst hula-hooping and eating fire. I was very impressed.
words HEATHER ARNOLD
Bianco, NoFit State Big Top, John Street, Cardiff, until Sat 7 June. Tickets: £17 / £14 conc / £12 child / £48 family ticket. Info: www.nofitstate.org
