Reviews

Traces

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2 February 2010

As the mass popularity of the big
touring circus has declined, due to changing tastes and a groundswell
of public opinion against the use of performing animals, some of the
acts you might have found there, have had to look elsewhere to
demonstrate their skills. The enormous success of huge productions like
Cirque du Soleil has spawned many imitators, some more successful than
others.

The 7 Fingers, a French Canadian company from Montreal founded the
show. But athough the original members have moved on, they have been replaced
by an incredibly talented troupe of multi-skilled performers. The show
was a hit of the 2007 Edinburgh Festival and returns to the city to an
enthusiastic audience in a much larger venue.

Traces is a thrilling
show blending traditional circus skills, basketball and skateboarding,
beautifully choreographed with an eclectic score. It is also a show
that somewhat defies description or rather should not be over explained
in a review lest some of the surprises are spoilt. Some of their
acrobatics leave you amazed and at times, rather apprehensive as
to what fate might befall the performers working without harnesses,
wires or nets.

The small company consisting of Antoine
Auger, Antoine Carabinier-Lepine, Jonathan Casauon, Genevieve
Morin and Philip Rosenberg dance, play, sing, tumble, vault,
somersault, roller skate, amuse, thrill and generally enthral.

Although the big top might seem a more
natural venue for this type of entertainment, it fits well onto a more
traditional stage. Indeed 60 years ago some of the skills featured in
the show would have found a home in the variety shows, which filled The
Festival Theatre when it was The Empire.

– Keith Paterson