When One Door Closes

This is a style of theatre quite unlike anything I've seen before. La Boite's theme of the adventurous and the alternative is in full flood with this production including some deep intellect at the helm to inspire and invigorate. Previous experimentation with the fusion of traditional styles has been around a long time now but in this instance the collaborative directors have developed a technique designed to stretch the imagination and add a new dimension to theatre with a circus theme. This time we have a fusion of acrobatics and dance with a surrealistic touch and a sprinkling of in-your face-eroticism to open a few trapdoors with maybe a female spider or three in mind. 

And why? The central theme exposes three late 19th century heroines expressing impressions of their surroundings in wild abandon, trying to escape their form and attitude to the male dominated society of the time. In retort, this is their rather obtuse and somewhat unflattering reaction.

What is distinctively astonishing is how the creators developed their original ideas: no doubt through gradual evolution in rehearsal. We are lucky to have such a creative platform here in Brisbane with the advent of Circa, a new vision of contemporary circus and a training ground that has been around since 2006 and designed not only to mentor traditional techniques but also to stretch the practice and perception of circus.

With a touch of the bawdy, the directors utilise their collaborative kaleidoscopic minds to explore and push boundaries, maybe a little too far at times in their abstractisms, but by using breathtaking circus acrobatics to ooze character and play on the traditional form of theme and variations, including some development (and development) well, the sky's, or the tent top's, the limit.

The ensemble cast are terrific, the routines well conceived and rehearsed, some breathtakingly dangerous but cleanly executed. It is literally scene after scene of bodies gyrating and grinding in a boxed arena full of various emotions: love, lust, hateful dispositions combined with a potpourri of juicy twists and turns, and all in character. And there is always the feeling that a female spider is there, weaving the web. Perhaps the inventive solo aerial-strap segment was a symbolic gesture.

Donagh Sherrard's original music is superbly inventive and atmospheric. There is also the inclusion of a selection of familiar songs, all tasteful and stemming from inquisitive exploratory minds confident in their quest.

The show ends with the three ladies entwined as a sculpture, out to show the world who they are and what they're trying to say, all accompanied by a piano solo work full of major chords revolving in successions of monolithic grandeur. Mesmerising stuff.

What I love about contemporary styles is the old adage (and there are quite a few variations on this theme in this collaborative opus): how far can you go? 

Crack an egg and see how it cooks? When One Door Closes is indeed more than a fluffy savoury omelette, and suitable enough to tackle a multitude of taste buds, even the footy fans.

Brian Adamson

Photographer: Dylan Evans.