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Kate Gaul

Show Pony - Edinburgh Fringe 2024


Show Pony

Summerhall


We all know what they do with old horses.

 

Berlin based Still Hungry contemporary circus outfit chose to work with the ever-groundbreaking Bryony Kimmings on “Show Pony”.  As Bryony says, “I make mind-blowing multi-platform art works to provoke social change, babes!!” Still Hungry tells us, “Three mothers Romy, Anke and Lena reunited after long years of friendship to create a piece far from classical circus. Their work is fresh, feministic, and powerful. Strong images and a good sense of humour makes their work truthfully touching and highly amusing.” I just had to be there!

 

“Show Pony” laser beams into the questions that will come up for everybody working in the arts (particularly onstage) and importantly three female acrobats: what happens when a performer is no longer needed?  Should the women continue their career paths or just give it all up?  This show does not present answers – it’s too clever for that.  But it knows what questions to ask!

 

The three artists behind Still Hungry, Romy Seibt, Lena Ries and Anke van Engelshoven remain outstanding physical performers despite being well past what is considered in the circus world as their prime time. Romy specialises in daring feats on the vertical rope, Lena is a contortionist, and Anke spins and spins in the straps. They are role models; superheroes and this show is an hour of contemplation and inspiration.

 

Across the hour we journey back into each performer’s past and discover how they made the choice to join circus, and what their individual aspirations were. When did they feel they “made it”?!  Old photos and flickering videos create a world of wonder. There is something so beautiful about seeing each performer as a child or teen from old photos and film. Every life is a mystery. The invincibility of youth gives way to more sobering realities.

 

The women describe to us the rules of the circus – defy gravity and look lighter than air, be young, be pretty, wear as little as possible on stage, never be out of breath, never have personal problems, never be injured. Women must be sexy on stage, right?! And what about motherhood, health and well-being?  Safety check everything on stage twice! Rules can be great to live by but where are the new rules when these no longer apply?

 

Lena, the contortionist regales the sexual connotations surrounding contortionists and the endless male fascination with her hyper flexibility. Nobody asks her long-term clown partner if he is funny in bed!

 

These women are not one trick ponies. There is plenty of wow factor in “Show Pony” as these women still HAVE IT!  There are many sobering moments, but everything is leavened with lashings of humour along the way.  The final section which is pure clown as each woman presents a different vision of possible future for them.  We never know what our destinies will be, but one thing is sure in the minds of all three - they face the future together.

 

A beautiful, thought provoking and inspirational hour!

 

 Kate Gaul

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