The latest show from Circa is in Brisbane for its world premiere – for a short time only
But if you want to see Show Me Love anytime soon, here’s my first bit of advice – bring your sneakers. My second tip – get ready for something that’s not like anything you’ve seen before.
The closing show at this year’s Melt Festival at Brisbane Powerhouse, Show Me Love calls itself as “a wild, dark celebration of bodies and beings”. The contemporary circus is produced by Circa, a company which is considered one of the world’s best when it comes to these types of shows. They’re also based in Brisbane, so it makes sense that the River City is where they’re holding their latest world premiere.
Joining Circa is DJ Sveta, the Sydney-based DJ who was born in the former Soviet Union (now Ukraine). She produces and performs the show’s music, an iconic doof-doof sound akin to an underground club or rave.
Unlike other shows, Show Me Love starts in the lobby. A couple of performers stand on other’s shoulders and walk out the entry door. After following them out, you are guided on a walk through the entire venue, where you are treated to sights such as smoke-filled hallways, mysterious lights behind doors and sexy, walking eyeballs.
Around every corner you see a performer doing cartwheels, climbing around pipes or checking themselves out in the mirror. I couldn’t help but notice the eerie, unusual vibe throughout this adventure, almost as if I was walking through a Silent Hill game.
Eventually, you arrive at the theatre, and take your seat (I’m used to doing this bit before the show, not during it!). Next comes the “circus” part of the program. You will giggle and you will gasp in shock and horror as you watch acrobats fly through the air, flip off other people’s shoulders and use each other as skipping ropes.
I liked the part when the performers were finding increasingly elaborate ways to squeeze themselves in between couples intimately dancing with each other.
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Between the laughs and shocks, though, you are reminded what the show is about. It’s a celebration of the body. And like the naked human body, the show can get raw and intimate. It’s vulnerable and it really feels like you shouldn’t be watching, but you can’t look away.
Before the show ends, the lights turn back on. You think the show finishes on the stage? No, no, no, put the sneakers back on, you have one last journey to make. This time, anthropomorphic poodles lead you to a dancefloor. The DJ is blasting Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Relax (the show is a part of a gay festival, after all), and the cast is encouraging everyone to dance. The show ends with you being involved in one big rave!
Show Me Love is many things – a celebration, a reflection, a realisation of someone’s insane vision. And it’s certainly an experience worth experiencing for yourself.
Show Me Love plays Brisbane Powerhouse until November 7.
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