@ Assembly George Square Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sun 30 Aug 2015 @ 17:30
Formed in 1992 by renowned jugglers, Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala, Gandini Juggling continues to be at the forefront of contemporary circus, reinventing and reinvigorating juggling for the 21st Century.
Directed by world renowned juggler Sean Gandini, choreographed by former Royal Ballet dancer Ludovic Ondiviela, with original composition Suspended opus 69 by Nimrod Borenstein. Incredible lighting design by Guy Hoare completes this sensational cross-art form experience.
What initially seems like an absurd concept – a collaboration between two worlds: juggling and ballet – 4 x 4 Ephemeral Architectures, with its four jugglers and four dancers sharing the stage, really works. Exploring pure patterns and mathematics, the performers move with effortless grace and precision. The minimalist set and “greyness” of the costumes only enhances the patterns playing out before our eyes.
Their finale piece is a wonderful play on words and patterns and you wonder where it’s going. For those with a touch of OCD, it all makes sense in the end, with the juggling balls reordered into symmetrical patterns, mirroring their spoken word.
This piece is clever, beautiful and appears effortless, appealing to those with a love of circus and dance at the same time. It’s a sure winner.