SYNOPSIS

Director·Speaker Charice Rust, Jonathan Morgan

<By a Thread> is an ensemble aerial circus work featuring seven acrobats and 30 metres of rope. Long spools of white rope run through pulley sheaves and wrap around the performers' bodies, explicitly connecting the artists’ movements above and off the ground. The actions of one acrobat affect and impact the movements of others in a mesmerising negotiation of cause and effect. A circus, by the nature of the physicality and risk present in the art form, necessarily develops high levels of trust and communication within ensembles. <By a Thread> was created to bring a new dimension to these ‘acrobatic’ relationships, and the parallels draw to our everyday interactions. Virtuosic acrobatics and intricate choreography weave through moments of confusion, hilarity, romance, playfulness, fear, and friendship. The relationships between ensemble members on stage mimic the everyday relationships we have as human beings. The acrobatic ensemble is the vehicle through which ideas of risk and trust are explored, creating an intimate experience around the dangers and joys implicit in engaging with others. The counterpoint to the danger in a circus is the joy that is integral to working as an ensemble, the joy of taking risks, and uncovering the possibilities at the intersection of both. More than mere bodies in space, By a Thread is an exploration of physical, emotional, and relational tensions.