Showdown, a high-energy, satirical circus show, is set to embark on a national tour from 1 May to 24 July. Written by Athena Kugblenu and directed by Vicki Dela Amedume, the show features music by Afrikan Boy. The press night will be held on Saturday, 3rd May, at the Albany.
“Telling a story through contemporary circus is a feat attempted by many, but achieved by regrettably few […] Upswing makes it look easy.” ★★★★ The Stage (on The Ramshackle House)
Six acrobats race to become ‘the new face of circus’ in this satirical show about winning. The audience votes for their favourite, with each round delving deeper into the contestants’ ambitions and sacrifices. Mixing comedy and spoken word with circus skills like aerial, cyr wheel, and acrobatics, Showdown explores media, identity, and tokenism. The production features original Hip Hop, Grime, and Afrobeat music by Afrikan Boy and a diverse cast from the UK and France. Showdown premiered in Berlin as a major commission by Chamäleon Theater and marks Upswing’s 15th anniversary.
Showdown opens at the Albany, where Vicki Dela Amedume is Creative Director, before touring for three months. This includes 14 performances at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in the Adnams Spiegeltent, a venue usually reserved for international headliners. The show follows their mockumentary Common Ground, available on YouTube, which explored the fictional search for a Global Majority star to rebrand circus for the 21st Century.
Vicki Dela Amedume, Upswing Artistic Director, said:
“We’re excited to finally bring Showdown to the UK. This production has been a labour of love for the company, and to us, it represents more than just a performance—it’s a testament to the unique possibilities that arise when circus and theatre collide. It promises to be a fresh, dynamic experience: a great night out filled with incredible circus, but one that will also provoke as much thought as it does gasps. Through conversations with Athena Kugblenu and other global majority creatives, I have become really interested in how the conversation around diversity has shifted in recent years. I’m interested in the games we play and what we are willing to sacrifice to get the rewards we hope for and in the dynamics of power. Above all we are interested in making something that people lean into, that rewards them for their attention with some fabulous performance and an authentic reflection on power. Ultimately, we want the audience to leave our show feeling elated, hopeful and ready to change the world.”
Athena Kugblenu is a stand-up comedian, writer, and voice artist. She was a member of the BBC Comedy Room 2019–2020 and received the Felix Dexter Bursary from the BBC in 2020. Her debut solo show, KMT, and her 2018 follow-up Follow The Leader played the Edinburgh Fringe to 4 and 5-star reviews. She has appeared on Richard Osman’s House Of Games (BBC 2), Mock The Week (BBC 2), Comedy Central Live (Comedy Central), and co-presented Yesterday, Today And The Day Before (Comedy Central). Her other writing credits include Horrible Histories (CBBC). Athena is soon to have two books published by Hachette Children’s Group: History’s Most Epic FIBS and History’s Most Epic FAILS.
Upswing, a diverse-led contemporary circus company founded by Vicki Dela Amedume, explores relevant and thought-provoking themes across all their work. Their recent shows include Ancient Futures and Catch Me, and the award-winning films Common Ground (The Mockumentary) and Circus Flavours on Screen. Through its creations, Upswing aims to inspire curiosity, share urgent ideas, and tell new stories in extraordinary ways. Upswing strives to break new ground in performance, seeking authenticity in the representation of Black experiences and innovating in circus/physical theatre.
Running Time: 1hr 05 mins | Suitable for ages: 12+
