Traces – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Conceived by Les 7 doigts de la main

Director and Choreographer: Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider

Reviewer: Sarah Lyth

The Public Reviews Rating:

Traces is going to go HUGE. If I could only have one word to describe this show it would be WOW. I expected an acrobatics display. What I experienced was a rich tapestry of dance, gymnastics, art, music, fun, humour and social commentary. These guys are seriously cool. The performers had so much energy, lightness of movement, strength and pure talent that the audience were gasping, whooping and cheering in turn, we couldn’t keep it in. They were astonishing.

Described as ‘circus artists,’ but really much more than that, the performers casually introduced themselves to their audience and then proceded to explore all manner of forms of expression to elaborate on their initial description. The company reveal themselves as individuals as they talk out to the audience in the piece yet show themselves also as being a precious part of a whole polished spectacle which is at once ridiculously casual and then jaw-droppingly precise. Casual: playing piano, sauntering across the stage, reading, writing, incredibly Bohemian in atmosphere. Precise: all five performers twisting and tumbling and engaging in circus tricks that could, in the space of a moment, land in disaster. The waves of these tones kept the audience mesmerised.

It was a joy to see such an expressive and creative show in the beloved Crucible Theatre. In the round, Traces was shown to its full effect and the audience were completely immersed in the action, even when it seemed almost too close for comfort! My guest leapt out of her seat as Philip Rosenberg climbed to the top of a pole and then let himself drop, head first to the floor before stopping himself millimetres from the stage! His awesome gymnastic display defied my understanding of what the human body can do, such strength, balance and poise. As the only woman in the troupe, Genevieve Morin held her own. She was beautifully strong, presenting the female form with power, wisdom and with eye popping contortions. Antoine Carabinier-Lepine is the company’s link with the diabolic, his eyelinered eyes suiting his awesome tricks and movement with a huge metal spinning ring. Antoine Auger and Jonathan Casaubon complete the quintet with skating, climbing, jumping and acrobatc skills that made me rub my eyes in disbelief.

Traces closed with a climax that utterly amazed the audience, we were watching seemingly super human bodies that made us gasp as they leapt with grace and power around the stage. What is truly incredible is the trust that the company have for one another, they totally give one another their lives to hold as they push their bodies to thrill and touch their audience. This show is a creative feast.

Wow. Go and experience Traces.