Urban

Circus has changed, with modern offerings such as Cirque du Soleil about as far removed as possible from the dusty, faded tents of yesteryear. Urban, in Southbank’s Courier Mail Piazza, positions itself somewhere between the two extremes, its heart stopping acrobatics delivered without unnecessary pomp or ceremony. There are no showy outfits, no overpriced merchandise and a distinct lack of caution shown from the dedicated performers. Urban is street circus, taking the audience to the vibrant but at times dangerous streets of Columbia. 

Visiting Brisbane after sold out seasons in Columbia, London and Paris, Urban is a hot topic of conversation for festival goers. In a welcome change from the whimsical fiction often explored in contemporary circus, Urban’s narrative is drawn from the true stories of the young performers’ lives, and tells their tales of hardship and struggle through a light-hearted blend of circus arts, dance, music and video.

The performers, aged between 17 and 23, have had challenges most Australians of their age could only imagine; correspondingly, their skills and passion for the art form must be acknowledged. Be that as it may, the narratives prove a little hard to follow, which is a shame; lengthy sections of Spanish dialogue supported by limited translation via projection sometimes left my attention wandering.

Every action is orchestrated with unwavering energy, but the rawness of the production is evident through the relatively frequent errors and misses. One could describe the production as unpolished, but that’s the entire point. Nonetheless, in contrast with the overly produced commercial circus acts we’re often treated to, the performers’ numerous mistakes do detract from one’s enjoyment. That aside, the physicality and strength of every act – from catapulting artists onto others shoulders to trapeze high above the piazza floor – is undoubtedly impressive.  

This circus is dirty, dangerous and dramatic; to truly experience it, I’d recommend arriving early and sitting close to the action, as the piazza is general admission. To describe Urban in one word, it’s honest. The honesty in the young performers’ accounts and actions is commendable, though their unique style of storytelling is sadly not always easy to follow. At times they triumph and at times they fall, which perfectly illustrates the challenges faced in these young artists’ lives.