DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE & CIRCUS

Muse by Flip Fabrique

Assembly Hall (Venue 35), until 28 August

JJJJ

Canadian circus company Flip Fabrique is known for wild trampoline work, gravity-defying stunts and, at times, silliness. All of which are present and correct in its new offering, Muse. But unlike previous shows such as Blizzard and Six˚, this time the Quebecois troupe has an important point to make – even if it’s made in the most light-hearted of ways.

Exploring what it means to be a man or a woman, Muse gently pokes fun at societal gender norms. First they dress up as American footballers, with big shoulders and helmets, then they pull on colourful tutus. Nothing is taken too seriously, but the soundtrack of quotes interspersed with the music hints at something more profound. Lines from Emma Watson’s 2014 UN speech about gender equality, a quote from Gloria Steinem about women being “linked, not ranked” and Maya Angelou reading her poem Still I Rise all give pause for thought.

The latter in particular, feels especially powerful, accompanied as it is by a strong Chinese pole act from a Black female performer. Likewise a gorgeous aerial routine by a male performer who spends much of the show making up his face, then pulls on some high-heeled boots, climbs up and soars.

At one point, the gender divide turns into a competition as a group of men and women try to outdo each other with a display of muscular balancing. In the end, they join forces and appreciate each other’s strengths. There is an abundance of flexibility, gymnastic daring and dexterous movement throughout – but as with all of Flip Fabrique’s shows, it’s the trampoline finale that really blows the roof off. When everyone, regardless of how they define themselves, flies high in every sense.

KELLY APTER