Having toured across Australia and the world, One Fell Swoop Circus sweeps into the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time with By a Thread, directed by Charice Rust and Jonathan Morgan. Although this is its UK debut, the show’s eight years of touring have enabled it to evolve for this year’s Edinburgh audiences at Assembly Roxy.
Seven acrobats and thirty metres of rope… long spools of white rope run through pulley sheaves. This is the first thing we see as we enter the space, hanging temptingly in anticipation. We follow the adventure as the performers masterfully manoeuvre the ropes around the stage, and themselves around the ropes. The performers are hoisted and swung by each other, with the ropes the metaphorical threads of connection that bind them together.
Think circus with a contemporary edge: By a Thread weaves virtuosic acrobatics and intricate choreography through moments of confusion, humour, romance, playfulness, fear and friendship. Innovative ideas are brought to life by these impressively skilled performers; the trust they need to have to execute the skills is unquestionable and they clearly have it in abundance.
It’s clear that this piece has previously toured extensively. The performers appear extremely familiar and comfortable with the choreography, and with each other. Whilst some of the skills have us audience members holding our breath, their belief and resilience stand them in good stead.
The changes in music throughout add pleasant variety to the piece, with the upbeat sections particularly highlighting and lifting the energy. The use of voice adds another dimension and gives us more insight into the performers’ personalities, and more of it might have been welcomed. Likewise, moments of humour really lift the performance and were much enjoyed by our audience; perhaps there are some missed opportunities for taking the humour even further.
Advertised as an all-ages show, By a Thread is a 50-minute display of skill that has at its heart a foundation of strength, trust and resilience.
