Virago Circus is back, this time gracing the stage in Gluttony with an all-new circus production. Nicole Walker leads a cast of seasoned aerial masters and circus specialists for In Motion, an ambitious work that weaves performance art and storytelling into a poignant tale of grief.

We follow Esther, a young woman who has made a rash decision to pack her belongings and move far away from home. Seeking a fresh start, she addresses the audience with nervous optimism about where her new life will take her. Her houseplant “Grace” seems to be taking the move pretty hard as well, sinking dully into her pot as Esther clutches her tightly. Grace becomes a metaphor for Esther’s own unregulated state of mind and anxiety, as she desperately tries to deduce how and why the plant becomes sicker every time she tries to help. Her attempts to find a semblance of control pushes her further into a state of depression and alienation, her cheerful manner withering much like her beloved succulent.

 
To see Lumi performing on the aerial chains is as beautiful as it is raw and emotional.
Between each account of Grace’s anxiety adapting to her new environment, the Virago crew take the stage with a solo routine. Each performer is noteworthy, both for their stage presence and their command over their circus weapon of choice. A beautiful flying pole sequence helmed by Stephanie Ianella is jaw-dropping in its execution. Sam Matthewman is always a welcome sight with ample prowess as a handstand artist and juggler. Nicole Walker’s trademark dynamic and passionate artistry on the aerial silks is as captivating as it is moving. Rachel “Lumi” Howes, in her impressive aerial chain act, showcases raw power and endurance. Stella May Page indulges her contemporary background with a lithe and mercurial contemporary dance routine. The transitions between each solo are smooth, blending seamlessly into the overarching story.

The Ukiyo is a brilliant venue to stage this tale. Intimate and circular, it lends itself nicely to the feelings of claustrophobia the protagonist experiences across the performance. I’ve never experienced an aerial show that incorporated the transition of apparatuses into thematic storytelling. From the delicate extraction from chains from a box to the storyteller’s entanglement in aerial silk fabric, no movement is wasted. Even the costume choices and gorgeous lighting (by Zoe Charman) help create the mood of this beautifully told story.  The interchange between each performer’s apparatus of choice integrates with Esther’s own emotional transitions as she grapples with loneliness and destabilization. 

Eschewing the typical circus mantra, In Motion takes a purposeful approach to using circus as a medium to explore deeper themes of self-fragmentation and alienation. It’s raw, relatable and minimalist storytelling that will resonate with anyone who’s found themselves unstuck in a new place without the comforts of the safe and familiar.

4.5/5 Four and a half stars.