Death-defying acrobatics, the human body stretched to its extremes, and intimate choreography that makes us feel for the performers – who doesn’t love the circus? In Circa’s Humans 2.0, the Australian circus company is taking the species to the next level, and blends movement, dance, theatre, and circus together to explore how we connect, attract, repel and attach, how we commune and how we isolate.

We spoke to Circa Associate Director Ben Knapton, and Tour Manager Todd Kilby to find out more about the collective power of their ensemble, the magic of a circus show, and what exactly it means to be human. Read the interview in full below:

Bakchormeeboy: Could you tell us more about how Humans 2.0 pushes the performers into a 2.0 version of the species?

Ben and Todd: Humans 2.0 is the next chapter. It is intimate, primal and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human. Though it may not push the performers into a “2.0” version of the species, it pushes the limits of what is possible in circus and questions whether we can ever find the perfect balance or is adapting to constant change the only way forward?

Bakchormeeboy: In Australia, is there still an overall belief that circus falls outside the realm of arts, and it simply family entertainment, or are there enough practitioners that have allowed it to be respected as a legitimate art form beyond feats of physicality?

Ben and Todd: Circus in Australia is viewed in many ways depending on the individual. We have quite a large circus scene and within that there are different styles and approaches. Hand in hand with that is differing audiences. I would say that there are audiences who see circus as a high art form, with some of Circa’s genre-crossing shows, in which we collaborate with Operas, Choirs and Orchestras, helping to bridge audiences’ tastes, in nuanced and sophisticated ways.

Bakchormeeboy: A circus performance is never just reliant on its performers, but an entire creative team, from the music to the lighting, to the costumes to physiotherapists. What is the process behind putting on a show from concept to performance like for Circa?

Ben and Todd: We have an amazingly hard working and dedicated team who create the work and keep our shows touring all around the world. Yaron Lifschitz is the artistic director whose vision is the basis for the shows. All the work is made collaboratively by Yaron and the Circa Ensemble. Sometimes it is generated from improvisational material and other times it is more strategically designed and tightly choreographed. For Humans 2.0 the music was composed by renowned musician Ori Lichtick, the dramatic lighting design is by Paul Jackson and the costumes were designed by Libby McDonnell.

Bakchormeeboy: A performance like Humans 2.0 requires the entire team to have very strong chemistry and work almost like a single unit. How does everyone forge strong bonds with each other, both during rehearsals/practice, and outside of it?

Ben and Todd: A strong chemistry and bond is formed through the physical connections and trust that are inherent in our line of work. The artists must catch one another, lift each other up, take each other’s weight and support each other. Working in this way definitely creates cohesion and synergy. Outside of the shows, the ensemble are on tour for large portions of the year, travelling, eating and socialising together. Living an ever-moving and intimate lifestyle that not too many people would experience.

Bakchormeeboy: What makes circus productions feel so thrilling that sets them apart from more traditional performance styles?

Ben and Todd: I think circus is so thrilling because it’s absolutely real. What you’re seeing is authentic and filled with risk, daring-do and beauty.

Bakchormeeboy: What kind of emotions do you hope to inspire in audience members? Would you consider it a show that audience members of all ages can appreciate?

Ben and Todd: Circa’s work is more akin to poetry than prose. We leave it up to the audience to experience the work in whatever way they do, engaging and connecting on a personal level. I think Humans 2.0 is a show that people of many ages can appreciate. Though we do recommend it for people 8 years and older.

Bakchormeeboy: How does this work tie back to SIFA’s theme of Some People?

Ben and Todd: Well, Humans are some people.
You will see some people leap, bound and fly.
You will see some people catching, gripping, lifting and supporting.
You will see some people moving in harmony and in dissonance.
You will see human beings pushing physical limits to the extreme.

Photo Credit: Yaya Stempler

Humans 2.0 plays from 3rd to 4th June 2023 at the Esplanade Theatre. Tickets available here

The 2023 Singapore International Festival of Arts runs from 19th May to 4th June 2023. Tickets and full details of programme available here