C!RCA

by El Nino
Where: Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront till May 10th.

What's the deal? 'The Space Between' is an intensely physical acrobatic expression of intimacy, control and desire performed to the music of Jacques Brel, DJ Shadow, Neil Young and Boards of Canada (to name a few). Never has somersaulting contortionism on the floor and being propelled across the stage looked so effortlessly easy.

You'll like this performance if you like: Cirque de Soleil...? Cheerleading competitions? 

Indicative quote: Ummm...there's not talking, but the 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps' routine where performer Chelsea McGuffin gets thrown around like a cheerleader on crack was outta sight!

Highlight: The love routine between three of the performers to the best love song in the world, 'Ne Me Quitte Pas.' This got a well-deserved standing ovation.

Lowlight: Some of the intended high-energy portions (as illustrated by the Aphex Twin-like, crazy drum and bass background) lacked explosion. Felt more like the hurry up and wait build up you have when watching floor gymnastic routines.  

What was the audience like: A mix of arty farty patchouli peeps and regular peeps looking for an interesting night out. Some boyfriends obviously placating girlfriends that probably ended up liking the show by the end of it.

Who you should bring: Your mother??? (Mother's Day, hello!) Your significant other (if they are artistically tolerant). Yourself!

Verdict: Overall, an excitingly beautiful show. A well-executed and innovative illustration of the body as an acrobatic apparatus. Some of the slower parts were a bit unnecessary and overdone, but I would definitely recommend giving this show a look if you have the time over the next few days. Just don't be fooled into thinking the acrobatics are as easy as they look, they hurt in places I didn't know I had.