Backbone

Backbone
Directed by Darcy Grant. Musical compositions by Shenton Gregory and Elliot Zoerner. Presented by Gravity & Other Myths in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Powerhouse Theatre (Qld). 16 - 17 February, 2018

What’s your relationship to the earth, to gravity and to other people? What is it you cling to most? What do you fear? What are you allowing to drag you down and what lifts you up? Backbone is more than amazingly talented acrobatics, it’s a work of modern art that evokes some big questions. The show is elemental, with earth, metal, wood, and stone props and air, light and water conjured through laser beams and strategically-placed stage lighting.

The astounding and death-defying tricks, gorgeous illumination and atmospheric music can be enjoyed on a superficial level by any audience. It has a wide appeal and would entertain a variety of demographics and venues. You’d have to be very jaded not to sit with mouth agape in awe at the performers’ skills.

If you wish to look deeper, Backbone invokes the tale of Sisyphus, as cast members are burdened with large stones. The stage is strewn with dark, earthy morsels that are swirled and scraped into patterns, somewhat akin to Buddhist sand mandalas. The stones juxtaposed against moments when the acrobats appear to fly – to defy gravity and laugh in the face of physics – help you experience their confinement one moment and their freedom the next.

Much of the choreography has a feeling of cause and effect like a human Rube Goldberg machine. There’s often so much going on you can barely take in all the beauty and talent before you. The performance does slow pace at times to deliver beautiful solo-focussed scenes supported by the expert ensemble.  

This isn’t your primary coloured, in-your-face, cirque-style show. It’s very down-to-earth. At times you feel like you’re viewing a warm-up or rehearsal, the cast are so relaxed and at ease with each other and the performance space. There’s a humility to the presentation. The cast are clad in retro gear good enough to inspire a song by Macklemore. The props are metallic and earthy tones; mostly objects you could get at the hardware store or that you’d find in a national park.

The ten acrobats and two musicians are at peak performance standard. They’re focussed, have unlimited trust in one another and create a show that is poetry in motion. The performers employ a combination of the aforementioned acrobatics alongside comedy, drama games, focus exercises and contemporary dance that makes for a singular experience. Musicians provide added atmosphere with violin, electric violin, electric drums, drums and keyboard. The result is a thrilling show with a lot of heart and an astounding authenticity. They give it their all. You can feel their exhaustion at the end of the show.

Backbonereceived a well-earned standing ovation for its opening night at Brisbane Powerhouse. If you get the chance to see these acrobatic sensations from Adelaide in action, you’re sure to be impressed too.

Kiesten McCauley 

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