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| Sxip Shirey |
Following the success of last year’s season, LIMBO – a circus show like no other – has returned to the Southbank Centre as part of its current world tour where it plays until 17th August 2014.
Last week I headed down to London Wonderground for the very first time to have a sneak peek at the show and chat to some of the cast. At first glance the Spiegeltent looked traditional, but after a closer look the vibe is completely different, with a band situated at the back of the tent and booths tucked away behind the rows of chairs.
It doesn’t take long to pick up on LIMBO’s uniqueness whilst watching just a few small segments. It may be bold, sexy and incredibly daring, but it is Sxip Shirey's music which takes the show to a whole new level. Featuring brass, electronics, hip-hop and club beats, the various influences are fascinating but come together beautifully.
After being wowed by Sxip Shirey’s score, I sat down with the composer to discuss his music. “It’s really unique” he told me, “It’s weird because I write pop and R&B tunes and people are always surprised. As a composer my music is always trying to convey direct and emotional contents. I think concepts are cheap, I could come up with 100 clever concepts but to come up with one melody which actually conveys something to someone is hard. The music in this show is exciting, it’s fresh.”
Sxip is delighted to be back at London Wonderground which has been his favourite venue to date, “it’s because you can see everybody” he explained. “Nobody is far away and I love theatre in the round. Every audience member is addressed in this kind of venue… and it’s beautiful!”
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| Evelyne Allard |
I also spoke to aerial hoop star Evelyne Allard who performs with a big metal ring suspended from the ceiling. I was fascinated to discover more about Evelyne’s journey to LIMBO, “As a child and teenager I was a gymnast so I’ve always been physically involved and acrobatic” she told me. “It’s funny how I ended up working in circus, I never really thought about it – it came naturally.
“I’m from Montreal and we have big circus companies, including Cirque du Soleil. There is a professional circus school and I did a degree there after I finished High School. It’s hard to pinpoint why I decided to do this – I just wanted to keep moving and expressing myself physically and it happened naturally.”
Obviously life as a circus performer brings incredibly high risks, and Evelyne told me she still gets nervous, “I think the only thing you can compare it to is adrenaline junkies who jump off cliffs or bridges. You go up there, you’re about to jump and you know it’s dangerous and you know something can go wrong but you just have to do it. There are many risks in circus, we try to minimise them as much as possible but things can happen!
“It is scary, but it’s what keeps us safe. If you go out there confident you can lose focus which is dangerous. If you’re about to go on stage and can feel it in your gut it keeps it fresh – it’s a reality you can’t escape.”
Although LIMBO has been touring the world for a considerable length of time the show constantly changes, keeping it fresh for the performers. “The show was put together very fast” Sxip told me, “we had a huge change which just happened just a few nights ago. Sometimes I don’t think things are going to work and then it turns out totally awesome. We’re doing the same show every night so those subtle little things make it easier.”
Sxip, Evelyne & the cast of LIMBO
Evelyne added, “When the show opened a little more than a year ago in Australia it was very different to what it is now. Even what you’re going to see this season is different to what we did here last year. It’s always growing and evolving.”
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| LIMBO's Heather Holliday |
The star also admitted that travelling the world has been an incredible experience, “I find it difficult to stay in the same place for too long so I love it. There’s something great about touring, you see the world in a different way than if you were a tourist. Travelling together as a group is beautiful, it kind of becomes like a family because we’re never home – whatever home is, this is home.”
Although touring life isn’t always easy, “Obviously, just as in any group of friends, there can be drama. It’s never easy, especially because we’re a very small group so we can’t run away from anyone or any conflict, but it is great because it helps us to confront problems. It’s very rewarding and it is lovely to have a little family to travel with!”
So what is the key to LIMBO’s success? As well as being down to its unique formula, Sxip thinks it has something to do with the audience’s relationship with the cast, “Audiences like this show because they can tell we enjoy being on stage together; there is a sense of wonder. Everybody in the show is at the top of their game, you won’t see most of this stuff anywhere else – it’s astounding.”
“People should come expecting the unexpected” Evelyne told me. “I think people need to be open minded and they will have a fun night out. There are crazy skills but also amazing live music. It’s very high energy and people can see a different world and feel the magic – they will be blown away.”
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
LIMBO runs at London Wonderground until Sunday 17th August 2014.
Please visit www.londonwonderground.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit: David Solm
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