| ImMortal |
| First presented in 2004 by Nofit State Circus |
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synopsis: ImMortal coming out alive Directed by Firenza Guidi Immortal is a journey into what it means to be human. It is a world of truths turned upside down, hilarious yet tragic, always on the move, but with pegs sunk deep. It’s where west meets east. Immortal is a world populated by humanity high and low. Who are these creatures, familiar yet unknown? Are they survivors of a revolution? Or gods coming from afar? Are they actors in a forgotten film-set? Have they been or are they yet to come? Are they memory or future? Immortal is a unique, timeless experience where the spectator enters the performance world and doesn’t simply watch it. It's an event, a multimedia promenade where action explodes all around you, above and below. It is a circus, a rotating spectacle of humanity at its naughtiest: human beings as crossroads of memory, history, faded pictures, blurred birth certificates, and uncertain mothers. A diorama of what is most tragically funny: a party, a bacchanal, a furious wedding dance. It is a total show, where music keeps the time and theatre has no numbered seats to map out the forbidden space. Come and watch closely: CCTV, lacing real and virtual, make spying a new art form: you'll find traces of a self, a place, a past, a sound, a pleasure, a memory, an image - connecting future to a sudden death. Immortal is daring, ambitious, anarchic, surreal, magical, breath-taking, thought-provoking and funny. Excessive and irreverent, Immortal is a spectacular meditation on one of the biggest questions of the human race: are we immortal? Firenza Guidi, March 04 |
There are 4 reviews of Nofit State Circus's ImMortal in our database:
| Blokes on ropes is always a hit...... | |
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ImMortal
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venue Cooper's Field Cardiff |
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August 6, 2002 |
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| It’s lucky that No Fit State at last have their own venue – the spectacular silver and pink flying-saucer tent – as it means they can start and end shows as when they please without incurring hefty fines! Immortal begins with an epic, largely uneventful pre-show, allowing the audience to wander freely around the space (defined by a series of raised rakes just inside the marquee perimeter) and explore clandestine installations. Occasional, delicious moments punctuate the period, such as being offered some knocked off immortality from the coat lining of a dodgy geezer-gal, or being passed by a pair of pseudo-gurus in white robes, dinging counter-bells balanced upon their heads. The show itself explores the notion of immortality through a young lad’s experiences in a strange world, of the experiments of a bonkers-mad scientist, first attempting to give a lab-rat (the only animal in sight) eternal life; a neurotic group of slightly 1950s looking keep-fitters, led by a woman on an obsessive quest to retain a youthful image who eventually clones herself; another neurotic woman, this time a wannabe starlet desperate for her image to live on in pop and more abstract characters representing life and death. Ian Devereux made a fantastic entrance as always with his regal elegance and powerful stage presence, in a fantastic silvery cloak, skirts and bodice, clutching a closed fan, opening it in one movement to deposit glitter into the ether. The accompanying music at this point was mellow, moving and uplifting, with the occasional moment of delicious feedback. The band comprised an accordionist, flautist amongst more common instruments, but they occasionally obscured the vocals of performers when singing solo, except for the quite amazing dead singer playing Death. Her voice was affected by sensitive use of delay and echo, not that she needed enhancement, but it added a touch of otherness. The non-linear narrative style of ‘Immortal’ lends itself well to the inclusion of various community groups, playing out their interpretation of the theme through hip-hop dancing and rap for example. Although some of these scenes seemed a little disparate from the main body of the show at times, it is good that the audience of ‘Immortal’ is challenged to think and make its own connections between the many images they see, as circus is traditionally such an obvious medium. Dance troupe Neutrino’s contribution involved interaction between performer and costume, some pulling and stretching the elastic strings wrapped around and attached to the punk-ballerina-leotard-suits of others, making brilliant would-be publicity shots for the future! One of the sexiest things about ‘Immortal’, or almost any circus show, is the Arial performance element – blokes on ropes is always a hit, and the topless technicians covered in glitter deserve a mention for sure. The fire-swinging scene was pretty spectacular, as the audience was completely surrounded by a myriad of performers each moving with their own individualistic style and speed. There was also some brilliant video work slickly projected on oval screens with quality equipment, depicting binary code flickering against brain and baby imagery, the cloning scene and a hilarious, pre-recorded nudey streak-chase through the park following the climactic and dynamic ‘Suicide Game’ (lots of tumbles and bungee dives); it was just such a disappointment when the cast re-turned to stage wearing their pants. (The least sexy part of the show was the over-repetitive clockwork choreography danced by the chorus towards the end, as every performer there has the potential to do more unfulfilled by the over-use of this particular routine). Ultimately we were showed the suffering of the characters on a mission to become immortal, and the final succumbing of life to death was portrayed with a lot more beauty, and a lot less pain than we imagine or expect for ourselves and our dearly departed." |
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| reviewer: Zoe Hewett |
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ImMortal
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venue Manchesterr |
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June 14, 2004 |
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| NoFit State Circus has pared down the art of the big top, leaving out the animals, clichéd clown outfits and the seating. Drawing on similar sources as Cirque Du Soleil, is latest show is a sensual overload of aerial acrobatics, rope work, tumbling and performance art. Turning tradition on its head, the audience stands in the centre of the tent, encircled by the performers, who weave in and out, directing attention from one set of gravity-defying tricks to the next. Giggly ladies dressed in 1950’s swimwear breast-stroke through the air suspended by swathes of fabric, while frantic characters – ranging from a darkly comic suicidal housewife to a shy male acrobat chased by a lusty female – play-act among the crowd. Only the overtly theatrical spoken-word segments mar the flow of this effortlessly modern piece anchored in circus’s burlesque past; there is barely a story, in any case, and there’s plenty to enjoy in the movement and sheer celebration of humanity. Take the frosty, sultry-looking Rosa, who nonchalantly keeps five hula hoops going in one act, then spins above the crowd using only a loop hooked around the back of her neck in another. Such antics are what NoFit State is all about: the company’s enjoyment of its work is infectious. One trapeze artist grins and shouts to passers-by that they should try it themselves. We’re not all immortal…….. |
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| reviewer: Tamsin Curry |
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ImMortal
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venue Winchester |
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July 5, 2004 |
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| With any luck, ImMortal will live up to its name and go on forever. The latest, unconventional show from NoFit State Circus has been wowing audiences all over the country with its unique, breathtaking acts. Circus member Tim Adam says: “We really affect people. I’ve seen members of the audience moved to tears after seeing us.” “Immortal involves people through music drama, video projections, and our own ‘wow factor’.” But nothing could prepare me for what this “wow factor” was. Forget traditional circuses with rows of seats and animal trainers and think more along the lines of Cirque du Soleil. Except ImMortal is wackier, more surreal and quite literally in your face. Clowns walk among the audience, acrobats climb down from above and the live band plays on stilts. This is no ordinary circus – its contemporary theatre at its height. If you’ve ever wondered what the future of circus is, a visit to Immortal will provide the answer. |
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| reviewer: Daisy Belfield, Soton Echo |
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ImMortal
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venue Swansea |
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August 25, 2004 |
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| Join the circus for unique show. There should be a bin outside the futuristic Big Top currently dominating Pembroke Dock’s skyline, labelled ‘Leave Your Preconceptions Here!” for inside is circus as you have never seen it before. Despite the high-tech appearance of the tent, NoFit State Circus offers up a strangely nostalgic show – interweaving circus skills with dance, drama and music. It is labelled a promenade performance – i.e. the performers strut their stuff among the members of the audience who wander around the interior of the Big Top following the action. Audience members were heard to comment on how different this show is to anyone’s idea of conventional circus: “It’s a bit unique,” said one. You might argue with the semantics –but the sentiment is spot on. ImMortal is a loosely connected selection of comment on the human condition, played out using every type of performance art available. It has echoes of a Dylan Thomas play for voices, and, with the action coming at you from every direction, is also reminiscent of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. It has a fin de siecle feel about it, filled with a turn-of-the-century decadence populated with Edwardian music hall characters like the moustached strong man and the corseted trapeze artist. There is no arguing with the level of skill and commitment on display; all are consummate performers in a wide range of disciplines. The evening is taken over in a whirl of light, colour and noise………… the audience members don’t merely observe, but are an integral per of this interactive show. But don’t worry that doesn’t mean you will be called upon to walk a high wire; instead you will provide the means for the performers to weave their story around you. If your idea of circus is tawdry glitz and poodles with ruffs on - you won’t find it at NoFit State. What you will find is passion and powerful performances in this innovative contemporary circus that should ensure a future for this traditional artform into another millennium. NoFit State Circus will continue with evening performances at 7.30pm until August 30th, with 3pm matinees at weekends. Contact the box office on 0870 126 1771. for tickets. |
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| reviewer: Fiona PPhill |
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| If you know of any other existing review, or if you have any more information on ImMortal, (perhaps you were in the production or were the author or director) then please use the form below to send us the details |