Apricity will be performed at 3pm in Assembly George Square Gardens (Palais du Variété) from 1st – 25th August (Not 12th or 19th)
Booking link: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/521-apricity
Casus Creations are a renowned Australian circus company who are insanely creative, wonderfully diverse and are pushing boundaries with their brand-new show ‘Apricity’ which they’ll be taking to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. Here, co-founder and creative director of the company Jesse Scott takes us behind the scenes of their latest spectacle, from its conception to the final breathtaking piece. The technical marvels and daring feats make it a must-see whether you’re a long-time circus enthusiast, or a curious newcomer. Here’s a glimpse into the word of ‘Apricity’.
How did the concept of Apricity evolve from its initial idea to the final production?
I had been dreaming up the ideas for Apricity for a number of years before getting into a room with our ensemble to create it physically. When it comes to creating contemporary Circus, there is only so far you can take your conceptual thoughts before physically turning them into acrobatics, aerials or movement. When this process begins, ideas commonly shift and change with bodies in a space. When I create work, I will always go in with an open mind, and I believe our best work comes from a collaborative process. Everyone that is working on the show has some form of investment into it. This investment can turn into passion, and this passion will enhance the art. Without a written script or fully realised characters you have to be prepared and excited to let the initial concepts evolve and change and this is certainly what happened with Apricity, but I believe it’s better off because of that.
What are some of the technical challenges you face in a show like Apricity? Especially with the aerial apparatus and acrobatics?
Technique plays a massive part in Circus. We spend hours getting our form and physicality correct before putting it in front of an audience but, the risk is always real. There are so many factors at play performing such physical work – the aerial apparatus has to be rigged safely by a professional rigger, the show lights can’t be shining directly into our eyes, and we have to be able to hear each other in case something in the trick isn’t going right. Specifically, with Apricity we have 20 lights that we balance and do acrobatics on. This is a new apparatus for us that was designed and built specifically for this show. it took months of practice, patience and persistence to get to the stage where we could build a human tower on them, and I’ll let you in on a secret… it’s still terrifying to do.
Can you describe some of the more daring feats in the performance?
A new skill we are showing in Apricity involves me balancing on my head on a trapeze while my husband hangs by his teeth on a bar I’m holding underneath me, all while spinning in opposite directions. (Can’t visualise that? Then you will just have to come see the show!)
We also all climb to massive heights on one anothers shoulders and hands. There are many breath-taking moments in Apricity.
What does performing at the Edinburgh Fringe mean for you and your company?
Casus Creations have been coming to the Edinburgh fringe since 2013. Our first show Knee Deep was a smash hit with numerous five star reviews, sold out crowds and instant standing ovations. We also secured years of future international touring. The next shows we brought had a very similar outcome. Edinburgh Fringe has become a very important arts market for our company as a vast amount of our touring comes from presenters seeing our work there. On a personal note, Edinburgh Fringe means inspiration, friendship, hard work, and afterwards a lot of self-reflection. This Edinburgh will be my 10th time so I guess you could say I’m a fan.
How would you describe your artistic vision, or philosophy?
My artistic vision and philosophy combine quite nicely together. My artistic vision is pretty simple really, I want to make people happy while pushing the boundaries of the physicality. I often cast my shows based on the people rather than the circus skills. I look for strong performers that have a passion for expressing themselves with their body and the people around them. My philosophy is, we do this because we love doing it. It’s hard work exhausting mentally and physically, and Circus does not pay the big money. If you don’t love what you do and there is another option. Why would you stay where you are?
How do you see the role of circus and physical theatre in today’s cultural and social landscape?
Circus has historically been a place for the misfits. It has always lied on the fringes of the art world and some would even say it isn’t art at all. This has changed drastically in the last decade with contemporary. Circus is becoming much more mainstream and a staple for many audiences worldwide. This is due in part to a few amazing Australian contemporary Circus companies, and I will be so bold as to say Casus creations is among them.
Circus is escapism. It’s a place to let your imagination run wild. It’s human and it’s risky and most importantly it’s boundless – there are always new and incredible things to discover when creating Circus. it is so important to our culture because it will constantly evolve with us. The Circus community, even if it has made its way from the edges of the arts to some in the middle is still full of misfits and misfits have incredible stories to tell.
Apricity will be performed at 3pm in Assembly George Square Gardens (Palais du Variété) from 1st – 25th August (Not 12th or 19th)
Booking link: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/521-apricity
Written by Jesse Scott (Co-founder and creative director of Casus Creations)