If you missed this show last year you’d be absolutely crazy to do so again.
This is the second time 'A Simple Space' has performs Adelaide Fringe. With two new acrobats and new tricks, this show will give you swollen hands from applause.
If the Gravity & Other Myths troupe sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve swept most of the Fringe’s Best Circus awards the past two years. Adelaide locals GOM have spent the past year touring this original show around the globe, and it has finally ended its run at home.
Labeled ‘Cirque du Soleil with a fistful of grit’ 'A Simple Space' is exactly that – self-lit lighting, an on-stage drummer and themselves. That’s all you need to boggle minds and it’s often a formula that’s overlooked in the Fringe season.
The element of fun is what really makes this show so successful – it’s not taking itself too seriously. The show's second night was sold-out, with the audience responsive from the moment the artists walked into the tent. Games of strip skipping mixed with backflip competitions, incredible feats of flexibility and strength. Seriously, these artists show what the definition of strength is, and they do all of this smiling and enjoying the audience.
The show has a nice flow, zigging and zagging between fast-paced acrobatics, to slower feats of strength, flexibility and balance. There’s some fun audience participation too. The original choreography GOM has created needs to be applauded – with certain acts grabbing more gasps than anything Cirque du Soleil has toured lately.
A highlight of the show is Elliot Zoerner’s body-percussion. He’s an element of the troupe that sets 'A Simple Space' apart from other circus offerings at this Fringe. The chemistry between the Adelaide crew is exceptional and really adds an element to the show lacking in others. Touring the world has bonded this group and you feel like you’ve been let in on a secret watching the show.
'A Simple Space' is everything Adelaide Fringe embodies – supporting young creatives and bringing audiences together to support and experience something magical. It’s a cliché, but this show really is something magical. If this is only their sophomore offering from the company, we’re really in for some treats. Go. See. This. Show.
'A Simple Space' performs The Garden of Unearthly Delights at Adelaide Fringe until 13 March.
