FRINGE REVIEW: By A Thread "is an exhilarating assemblage of physical theatre and aerial acrobatics"
By A Thread is an exhilarating assemblage of physical theatre and aerial acrobatics, the upsurge of anticipation for which may be partially attributed to its most off-kilter feature: the only prop used is a single line of 30-metre rope. Don’t let the simplicity of the concept fool you – yes, these circus artists are not working with the daring trapezes and graceful aerial silks of typical circus-like productions. However, this performance is anything but plain. With such a seemingly un-elaborate prop, this team of seven acrobats from the One Fell Swoop Circus exhibit the plenitude of spectacles that can be created with trust, intrepidity, and a bit of rope.
One white rope hangs from the top of the stage with each end dangling on opposite sides of the platform. In a collection of aerial and ground performances, the rope is manipulated with impressive delicacy and skill to hoist one another into the air, knot around their figures in fantastic displays of suspension, and support the acrobats’ grand dynamics. With moves that have the audience spontaneously joining together in choruses of gasps and some private, hushed expletives (especially on the part of the gentleman immediately to my left, who really ought to wash his mouth out with soap), the acrobats act as individual parts of a larger machine, designed to create awe-inspiring escapades.
As only one rope is shared among a crew of seven, the repercussions of one acrobat’s manoeuvre is inescapably felt by the others. Each individual movement is necessarily interconnected with that of the rest of the group, fostering harmonious and symbiotic relationships. This connection, paired with the absence of safety harnesses or nets, necessitates absolute trust between the acrobats that is impressive to witness. Relying on each other’s precise physical harmonisation, they take on daring stunts and displays that are only possible with such a unique level of trust.
The accompanying music is responsible for separating the performance into segments and is notably crucial to the whimsical changes in emotion. The occasional cheeky display whereby the acrobats’ movements synthesise with the music demonstrates how precise and punctual the entire performance must be, lest it go perniciously out of sync. One particularly delightsome part of this performance is the bouts of playful humour that split up the rather intense emotions that are explored in the show. These moments provide a perfect opportunity for those watching to laugh off some of the built-up tension from watching a team of people undertake such daring performances. Moreover, one acrobat’s jocular self-acknowledgment of his slight fumble on opening night only added to the overall charm of the show.
A common expression, to hang ‘by a thread’ is to be in an uncertain, unstable condition, often with success looking unlikely. Carrying out such delicate and risky acts with a mere rope to support themselves, one would presume uncertainty and instability would be indigenous to this performance. However, the incredible trust, athleticism and superb choreography ends up negating any supposition that these artists were ever in an uncertain or unstable position during their performance. A truly splendorous production that I encourage all to capture by the end of this year’s Fringe Festival.