When one thinks physical theater, perhaps your first thought is spectacle; large grandiose installments of death-defying circus stunts and excitement. No doubt such thrills are a core reason audiences are drawn to these shows. However, circus shouldn't just be considered for thrill seekers only, and the medium allows for more versatile forms of self-expression and storytelling opportunities. That's what the talented duo of 13 Eggs Circus explores in Space Between. A self-described rom-com of sorts, it follows the story of two circus artists who fall in love and their emotional journey navigating their relationship.
The show opens with two characters - Alex and Penny - practicing some rudimentary circus tricks together in their living room, with varied success. The tricks become steadily more complex as they cue us into the start of the story. We then watch a series of montages of their life together; some humorous, some wholesome, some heartbreaking.
Alex and Penny are entertaining and endearing characters. Penny is a bundle of pure energy, scurrying across the couch in a series of adorable and funny play fight sequences. Alex is similarly sweet, though acts notably more withdrawn and distracted in comparison. His aloofness soon manifests as a mental health breakdown as he turns his gaze back onto the audience, breaking the fourth wall. In doing so, we are switched from passive observers to active participants in the scenes unfolding before us.
This is a uniquely measured style of physical theater, one that uses the physical form to explore ideas in more subtle ways. The two acrobats are versatile in their usage of props and exaggerated body movements, conveying the narrative primarily through motion while using dialogue sparingly. We witness the changing dynamic between Alex and Penny over the course of the show, jumping back and forth between beginning and ending scenes to appreciate the complexities of their relationship. The shift between comedy and drama allows us to appreciate these nuances without relying too heavily on one or the other.
Space Between is an entertaining, stripped-back acrobat show that also shows us an innovative approach to storytelling through the physical medium of circus, much like interpretive dance. The two leads give praiseworthy performances with a thoughtful meditation on the small but meaningful moments we share with those we love. It's a circus with a heart, and it's all the better for it.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: ****1/2
Reviewed by Justine Hall