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An artistic approach to storytelling was brought to the Collins Center for the Arts on Tuesday. Circo Aereo, an internationally renowned contemporary circus group from Finland, turned acts of juggling and acrobatics into an art form during their show “Espresso.” The show had dazzling moments as the performers hurled rings and balls into the air with accuracy or as a sinewy blond woman dangled from a single rope. The show was punctuated by moments of dark absurdity, leaving the audience in a bewildered state.
The strength of the performance was based on simplicity. The color scheme was dark, and there were no flashy costumes or props. The lack of glitter, something commonly seen in this generation’s form of entertainment, forced the performance to rely solely on the artists’ talents.
The small cast of four made the performance intimate, allowing audience members to grow familiar with each performer’s strengths. Talent carried the show. Precise juggling and balancing acts were at the core of every performance. The jugglers displayed rhythm, timing and synchronicity that achieved near perfection. Sanna Silvennoinen was mesmerizing as she twirled herself around her rope. In one act, she dressed herself in mid-air.
Even acts that were light on physical feats were highly artistic and often humorous. One act told of the adventure of a little girl and a bunny. They encountered a unicorn, pirates and even a whiskey bottle and a joint. The performers acted out the story and provided a unique soundtrack on keyboard and hilarious commentary.
The music was another highlight of the evening. Each act had its own score that seemed to match immaculately with the mood. Light bounced off the twirling silver juggling clubs, creating an astonishing illusion. As the music set the tone sounding like electrical sparks, the juggling clubs diminished and created an illusion that he was juggling pure electricity.
Although the audience’s attention rarely slipped away from the stage, there were moments that left them in a daze of confusion. Illogical acts occurred throughout the performance, such as when Silvennoinen slid across stage with a long beard, or a performer displayed various pictures of a horse galloping and turning into a meat platter in a flipbook style.
The show seemed to end abruptly as the performers blind-folded Silvennoinen, placed her in a wagon, and turned off a fluorescent moon that illuminated the stage. The cast stood in a line with straight faces and each took their turn to bow.
There were mixed reactions spread throughout the lobby, as some complained that it was a waste of money and others spoke of how spectacular they found it. Circo Aereo brought a unique and unusual performance to the University of Maine, one most were not expecting to see. People expecting Barnum and Bailey’s three-ring festivities might have been sorely disappointed, but true patrons of the arts were quick to applaud these European virtuosos.
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