UK PREMIERE
FAUNA
Assembly Roxy, Central
1.30pm 5-27 August 2017,
(no shows 9, 14 & 21)
Set to an ever-evolving, fluid live soundscape, Fauna is a new kind circus, one that explores the similarities and contrasts between human movement and the instinctual, primal behaviors in the animal kingdom. One that leaves the audience breathless and silent, hoping not to disturb the wildlife playing at their feet.
Six world class performers take to the stage and work in perfect harmony. Hand-balancing, trapeze and floor work come together to create an animal soap opera
What was the inspiration for this performance?The inspiration behind Fauna when we first came together was to find a context in which acrobatics and circus could thrive without falling back on the cliche of simply performing big tricks. The 5 acrobats met at DOCH, a leading circus school in Stockholm, where they spent years finding their own characters and developing on those ideas.
When it came time to put a show together, it was a natural progression to take those characters and apply them to a specific context. They found that the common thread throughout was an animalistic element, which formed the basis of the show. The inspiration then was simply to put those characters alongside one another on a stage, and see how they would or could interact with one another, to see how those interactions, and in some cases relationships, would evolve.
Throughout the creation process, those interactions have continued to evolve, sometimes clarifying what we wanted to say, and other times forcing us to rethink characters or how they fit within the world we've created, but the inspiration to let the movements and interactions govern that has stayed fairly constant throughout.
Is performance still a good space for the public discussion of ideas? Whether a performance itself is a good vehicle for delivering an idea I think relies on the quality of the performance, and the sincerity of the argument behind it, but I have no doubt that performance will always be a great catalyst for the public discussion of ideas. People want to be able to share what they experience, they want to talk about what they've seen, they want their friends to experience the same things.
Is performance still a good space for the public discussion of ideas? Whether a performance itself is a good vehicle for delivering an idea I think relies on the quality of the performance, and the sincerity of the argument behind it, but I have no doubt that performance will always be a great catalyst for the public discussion of ideas. People want to be able to share what they experience, they want to talk about what they've seen, they want their friends to experience the same things.
In that sense, as soon as you perform anything that's worth seeing it's going to generate discussion, whether it has a political message or is simply another way of looking at a particular theme or subject. I think performance is one of the few places now where you can really express what you feel and to a large extent not be ridiculed for it, because, at least in non verbal theatre or performance such as ours, it's largely an interpretation. I think that allows a lot of freedom in a way and also allows the audience to project their own ideas and beliefs onto a piece. This creates debate, and open discussion - which is always a good thing.
How did you become interested in making performance?All of us, although fairly young, have been professional performers within our chosen fields for a number of years. I think, at least from my perspective as a musician, the interest in performing largely stems from a
want to express oneself, to want to share parts of yourself in a way that most people never get the chance.
How did you become interested in making performance?All of us, although fairly young, have been professional performers within our chosen fields for a number of years. I think, at least from my perspective as a musician, the interest in performing largely stems from a
As performers we get to stand in front of a room of people and make them think something, put an idea in their head, recall memories, get caught up in a story. The feeling of pulling other people, who you've never met before, into your world, is something very alluring and something that pretty much only performance can do.
Is there any particular approach to the making of the show?Togetherness and democracy. Everything we do has to be agreed on by all 6 of us. We create together and we all have a say. As the musician, I have a say on movement. As Acrobats, the others all have input in the music. That is something that has been and will remain incredibly important to us in our creation.
Does the show fit with your usual productions?This is our first production as a group. We have each done other productions in other companies, or as smaller collaborations amongst ourselves, but never as the 6 of us together. However, we don't want to get bored or fall back on routine. When we feel this show has come to an end, I'm sure we will embark on something completely different.
What do you hope that the audience will experience?Something. Obviously through creating an alternate world and developing specific characters we want to tell a story. We have specific ideas in our minds as to what each interaction reflects and conveys, but overall, we just want the audience to feel something. Without language, a lot is left to interpretation, which works for us and against us. Sometimes that means our story may get lost, simply because of one person's prior experiences. But as long as the audience is able to meet the characters, and experience the interactions between them, whether their interpretation of what that means differs from ours isn't really the point - it's the feeling of a connection to them that we want to create. As long as they experience 'something' then I think we've succeeded.
What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?
Is there any particular approach to the making of the show?Togetherness and democracy. Everything we do has to be agreed on by all 6 of us. We create together and we all have a say. As the musician, I have a say on movement. As Acrobats, the others all have input in the music. That is something that has been and will remain incredibly important to us in our creation.
Does the show fit with your usual productions?This is our first production as a group. We have each done other productions in other companies, or as smaller collaborations amongst ourselves, but never as the 6 of us together. However, we don't want to get bored or fall back on routine. When we feel this show has come to an end, I'm sure we will embark on something completely different.
What do you hope that the audience will experience?Something. Obviously through creating an alternate world and developing specific characters we want to tell a story. We have specific ideas in our minds as to what each interaction reflects and conveys, but overall, we just want the audience to feel something. Without language, a lot is left to interpretation, which works for us and against us. Sometimes that means our story may get lost, simply because of one person's prior experiences. But as long as the audience is able to meet the characters, and experience the interactions between them, whether their interpretation of what that means differs from ours isn't really the point - it's the feeling of a connection to them that we want to create. As long as they experience 'something' then I think we've succeeded.
What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?
Keeping what we do minimal and simple. Not overcomplicating things. The characters develop naturally and we try to have a reason for everything. A character doesn't just leave stage because their scene is finished, there is a reason for it. They don't enter again until there is a need. The music is there to compliment the movement, not to overpower or distract from it.
The costumes are to reinforce the characters, not to create them. There is no set to distract from movement. These things are all deliberate to make sure the audience are all in the same world that we are. The only difference then is past experience and the way each individual projects that onto the piece.
straight out of the hedgerows.
Fauna is a collaboration between performers from leading circus companies, including Gravity and other Myths, Seven Fingers, Poivre Rose, and No Fit State Circus. Award winning acoustic and percussive guitarist Geordie Little creates a stunning, dramatic live soundtrack. The team are based in Sweden and hail from around the world.
Even the smallest interactions, facial movements, and body twists, are imbued with feeling and emotion, making the production really stand out. The ritual of courtship, the aggression of competition, the Machiavellian cunning and the simple pleasure of play is brought to life through the entrancing skill of these creatures from different circus backgrounds.
EMERGING ARTIST AWARD - Adelaide Fringe 2017
BEST CIRCUS & PHYSICAL THEATRE (WEEKLY) - Adelaide Fringe 2017
Aurora Nova is back at the Festival Fringe with eighteen theatre works from around Europe and across the globe. Circus from Belgium, clown from Mexico and physical theatre from Argentina alongside an entire season of Canadian work make up some of the wide ranging programme of trend-setting, innovative and wildly creative work.
Aurora Nova has been in operation since 2001, first as an alternative venue at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, now an award-winning programme of work ‘without walls’ which specialises in bringing physical theatre, contemporary circus and new theatrical formats to festivals and venues worldwide.
Previews: 3-4 August: £10.00
Tickets: 5-27 August: £12.00/ £14.00 - £14.00 / £16.00
Suitable for all
Box office enquiries: edfringe.com assemblyfestival.com
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