Contemporary circus company Cirque Éloize brings iD Reloaded to Milton Keynes Theatre this month, writes Georgina Butler.
The Montreal troupe is promising to blow audiences away with this fresh new show, which is inspired by the original West End and international hit, iD. Infectious energy? Phenomenal physical feats? Guaranteed.
Theatregoers can expect to be transported to the heart of a vibrant city – a stimulating public space where identities are forged and individuality is expressed – and astonished by an intoxicating blend of urban dance, daring stunts and dazzling acrobatics. Nine talented performers will flaunt their skills in a diverse mix of disciplines: breakdance, hip hop, gymnastics, contortion, juggling, trampolining...
The action takes place against a backdrop of eye-popping video projections and plays out to a pulsating soundtrack. Pitched as West Side Story meets hip hop meets circus, iD Reloaded is set to exhilarate and entertain.
Cirque Éloize was established in the Magdalen Islands in the early 1990s when Jeannot Painchaud and seven young artists decided to found a circus company. Innovative from the start, they chose to move away from the traditional big top spectacle and incorporate narrative elements to appeal to audiences seeking meaningful entertainment.
The company's history of innovation is also demonstrated by the fact that co-founder and early collaborator Daniel Cyr invented the Cyr wheel (a human-sized hoop in which a performer spins and rolls).
The iD Reloaded performers are: Alexia Medesan (contortion, aerials), Adam Dransfield (dancer, B-Boy, chair balancing and trampoline), Bryan “Slinky” Boyer (dancer, B-Boy), Lakesshia “Kiki” Pierre (dancer, B-Girl), Trevor Bodogh (trial bike), JP Deltell (juggling and trampoline), Kayden Woodridge (Chinese pole, hand to hand and trampoline), Christophe Bate (straps, Cyr wheel) and Florence Amar (aerials and hand to hand).
Opening night of iD Reloaded at each tour venue includes a post-show Q&A (free for ticket holders).
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, with no interval.
Cirque Éloize performs iD Reloaded at Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October at 7.30pm.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
