Hungarian physical theatre powerhouses Recirquel bring Paradisum to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The dazzling spectacle is an entrancing showcase at the majesty of the human body – with Paradisum’s Artistic Director, Bence Vág and a troupe of immensely skilled performers crafting a transformative multifaceted physical theatre experience.
Set in the eerie silence of a destroyed world, Paradisum explores creatures evolving from the natural world – using their bodies as a means of communication and ever-transforming evolution.
The Assembly’s Roxy space, sets the stage for Paradisum – crafting a distinctive darkly-lit stage with performers lightly illuminated when performing a mix of physical theatre spectacle. Light is used with staggering impact, with other-worldly production design created by fabrics, select physical theatre props, and the performers’ own physiques. The patterned fabric lends a serpentine-like quality in some moments, yet can shine as a dazzling illuminated skyline or shifting sub-human body. This is physical theatre at its most transformative and jaw-droppingly creative.
Ethereal music production from Edina Szirtes creates a dreamy otherworldly surrealism, lending further gravitas to the morphing ancient landscape crafted, the majestic physical physiques, and finesse-packed movements of the gifted performers. Thanks to this soundtrack events feel both pressing and urgent at points, yet with an airy elegance at others. Sound designer Gábor Terjék adds further impact to these moments – heightening the tension of the physical feats on display – for example a piece involving juggling on a ladder – a masterful intensity added through crushing sound effects as each ball lands.
The diverse range of skills showcased by the production’s cast sync harmoniously with the shifting ethereal beast that is Paradisum. Embodying the theme of the rebirth of physical perfection emerging from a ruined world with the performers embodying a shifting, evolving humanity throughout the piece. Opening with some compelling physical theatre and a spinning pole, there is a captivating silence as the skilled performer manoeuvrers and travels using the moving object.
Further aerial set pieces including bold work on a suspended aerial hoop and acrobatics on a range of hoists prove truly compelling. Later moments including the cast utilising ladders for juggling and physical acrobatics also prove truly impressive. Bold percussion comes in the form of an atmospheric number atop a large drumming box choreographed with asserting physical performance simultaneously. Performers are synchronous in larger group numbers, whilst each gets an impressive solo spot to showcase their expertly-honed talents.
From the ethereal majesty of the set design and music to the captivating skills of the talented cast of performers, Paradisum presents intelligent, asserting physical theatre at its most thrilling.
Tickets to Recirquel: Paradisum can be purchased here.