February 1, 2024 | Theatre,

Acrobatics and Movement as Storytelling

ArtsEmerson is eager to welcome back acclaimed circus troupe The 7 Fingers with their latest show, Duel Reality, which is having its U.S. premiere at the Cutler Majestic Theater from February 7-18. The 7 Fingers is no stranger to the stages at ArtsEmerson, as they have had engagements with us since our inaugural season in 2011! In fact, ArtsEmerson has a long history of bringing circus, acrobatic, and movement pieces to our theater spaces – let’s take a look at some of the past performances we have had the honor of hosting!

1. Double Edge Theatre’s The Grand Parade (of the 20th Century) (2015)

Created on a farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts, this theatrical collage took us along a hundred year long historic journey of our time, drawing inspiration from artist Marc Chagall. The Grand Parade (of the 20th Century) blended circus, puppetry, dance, and projections, juxtaposing images of historic moments with Chagall’s paintings. We saw the moon landing, the escapes of Houdini, the atomic bomb, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the fall of the Berlin Wall as some of the marked events portrayed. We were reminded to celebrate where we are now by examining where we have been.

 

2. Machine de Cirque (2016)

Quebec City’s own circus company put on a show truly designed for everyone. Brilliant, humorous, and creative, it was a show that leaned into childlike wonder and brought joy to all audiences. There was a teeterboard, juggling clubs, drum kits… and bath towels. They did not hesitate to reveal themselves to make audiences feel moved, dazzled, and of course, entertained!

3. Raphaëlle Boitel’s When Angels Fall (2019)

Boitel flawlessly combined aerial circus, dance and cinema to explore how the beauty of letting go gives us the strength we need to rise. When one survivor refuses to settle into a bleak new universe, a rebellion threatens to turn an already bad situation even worse. When Angels Fall’s visual storytelling (there were no words said on stage) brought laughter and awe even during the harsh descent from the heavens.

4. Global Arts Corps’ See You Yesterday (2019)

Shortly after the premiere of When Angels Fall, ArtsEmerson welcomed nineteen Cambodian circus performers and acrobats for See You Yesterday. In this piece, second-generation survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide used acrobatics and circus arts to examine the fragmented stories of the genocide that they had inherited from their parents and grandparents.

5. Circa’s En Masse (2021)

In 2021, audiences were presented with two visions of humanity at its extremes. Acrobats told their story with exquisite songs of loss and love, moving between sporadic energy and great loss. Live music sent acrobats into a life-and-death struggle between group and victim. Circa put bodies on the line in electrifying explosions of physicality and power.

Do not miss ArtsEmerson’s latest circus feat, Duel Reality! Tickets are selling quickly, so be sure to secure yours today by purchasing online, over the phone, or in person at our box office. See you at the Cutler Majestic soon!