It was a night of glorious humour and floods of frivolity – and harsh realities – at Brisbane Powerhouse, as Vulcana Women's Circus performed 'Fluid', a performance exploring belonging and tackling gender roles, sexuality and disability.
The show, a part of MELT Festival, introduced and celebrated people of all different backgrounds with dance, acrobatics and speech. There were readings about being deaf, the perks of having a hysterectomy, feeling alone and struggles around gender stereotypes.
One particular speech was by a striking young woman with scoliosis who spoke about an intimate experience with another female, before ending with “it was a very intense session of Zumba” which set the audience into a fit of laughter – proving they assumed it was leading elsewhere.
Easing into the show meant deeper issues tackled. A hoop lowered from the ceiling at one point, as a deaf circus artist emerged and physically communicated her journey experiencing sound for the first time with a cochlear implant.
The standout moment of 'Fluid' would have to be the ladder performance. Two girls stood centre stage, circling a ladder, as one was able to reach the top while the other was too afraid. Eventually the strong girl was able to help weaker, and she made it to the top. It was open to interpretation, but for this reviewer, it signified a battle with depression. Not feeling strong enough to overcome it, eventually reaching out for help and learning how to climb to the top again.
The full ensemble of women took to the stage to perform a hilarious dance to the famous Ting Tings song 'That's Not My Name', all wearing moustaches, shooting down gender barriers and having the time of their lives, in unison with the audience.
The entire show seemed to be a celebration for existing. Whether it be existing as someone with scoliosis, with a hearing impairment, or even living as one gender though born another. The subtle yet well-communicated messages throughout the performance highlighted our inherent reflex as humans to judge others quickly before digging deeper, and challenged this concept intelligently.
Vulcana Women's Circus delivered a well-rehearsed and enjoyable evening, with a delightfully harmonic contrast between light and dark. Issues were tackled, fun was had, and a group of performers bared their souls on stage with confidence and, as the name puts it, fluidity.
Four out of five acrobats!
