Backbone @ Underbelly Bristo Square

If you are looking for a circus performance to enjoy during this Fringe festival, then look no further as Backbone has everything you could possibly want. The Australian circus-like theatre group ‘Gravity and Other Myths’ presents a show that is fun, entertaining and visually breath-taking.

Keeping you on your toes, the acrobats defeat physics throughout the entire show, constantly pushing the limits of human strength and flexibility keeping the audience on their toes until the last minutes. The performance was playful and ironic but technically astonishing and disciplined. The set up certainly contributed to enhancing the moments of suspense. Particular praise goes to the choice of having a live band playing on stage. Thanks to the element of live music the show flew coherently, and it freed the crew from time restriction allowing them to keep some elements of spontaneity which kept the performance fresh.

On multiple occasions, Backbone took the breath away from the public. From incredible jumps to impressive samples of strength, the crew showed an incredible collective understanding. The complex figures and heart-stopping dynamic elements were presented by a crew which was moving harmoniously in its individuality as well as on the whole. The choreography remained fresh and unpredictable from the beginning until the end. The performance alternated quick sequences with slower ones focused on highly complicated figures based on balance. My favourite one was probably the raising of a member of the crew several meters above the ground with the only support of some sticks. I genuinely thought I could not watch through this moment, as well as during several others, as I could not believe my eyes and I considered impossible what the acrobats were capable of.

Keeping faith to their name, the Australian crew defeated gravity and rightly earned a standing ovation by the public. I recommend this show for its amusing, joyful nature. With three more performances to go, you will find Backbone on stage until the 26th of August

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Sofia Cotrona

Writer at reviewsphere

Student of History of Art and Business at the University of Edinburgh. Born and grew in Turin (Italy), I received a secondary education focused on languages (Spanish and French) and then graduated from the United World College of the Adriatic (IB). My International Baccalaureate diploma focused mainly on Visual Arts and History of Art. I am passionate about the social impact that art can have on modern society and always excited to engage with new forms of art.