Circus; Acrobatics 

Words: Trudy Lynn 
Image: Clare Britt

4 Stars 

Aloft return to the Fringe with a new work of acrobatic storytelling. Their message is a heart-warming one for our discordant times. It asks the audience, for how long can  you balance alone? What heights can you reach when you are supported? The show begins slumberously with choreographed clumsiness playing out the frustration of  isolation. The emotions come across perfectly: burn out, frustration, giving up. We  watch as the actors learn to work together and gain confidence and build trust. There’s real pride in the building of structures and it ends joyfully in camaraderie. 

The unique selling point of The Pieces is the structures made. Each acrobat has a  metal ladder. These work both singularly and interlock with scaff bars to create  interesting towers. They are utilised in fascinating ways: tipped to lever and lift the  performers, danced with, spun as a cohesive unit. 

There are beautiful details which build the story, from the clever costumes which are each subtly different and each gain neon colours as the show progresses to the  music which perfectly fits the industrial theme and taps into the frenetic burn out  wonderfully. We learn at the end that all the music was made on the ladders  themselves creating an impressive soundscape. At times, it does feel like the focus is on these details and the storytelling, rather than providing an hour of non-stop impressive acrobatics. However, the acrobatics are nonetheless impressive and we gasped and clapped as it built to a cohesive, communal, celebratory finish. 

The Pieces by Aloft
Underbelly Circus Hub 
13:05
8 August – 29 August (not 18; 25)