9.30pm, Peacock at Gluttony

Until March 17^th

★★★★

In a truly incredible display of core strength and human agility, By a Thread, a performance by contemporary circus company, One Fell Swoop, stunned their audience with amazing feats achieved with nimble bodies and thirty metres of rope (and, seemingly, an immunity to rope-burn).

Each acrobat was given a moment to shine, with mini, individual acts complimented with larger ensemble work. Every movement seems carefully planned and executed – each member of the troupe was ‘on’ at all times, whether doing handstands, various flips and jumps, or simply helping with management of the rope, which in itself was choreographed perfection. The collaborative groupwork pieces on the main rope were a sleek representation of Newton’s Third Law – one acrobat pulls the rope downwards, another is thrown skyward in a series of twists and turns. In the solo and partner acts, the audience can focus on single movements and the artistry at play.

Superbly soundtracked, the show moved from slower instrumental pieces, to upbeat, peppier tunes that reflected the nature of the performance. Elements of comedy were interwoven throughout, although at times the spoken portions were overwhelmed by the sound of the music. This is a shame, as the performers’ cheerful banter was largely lost on the audience.

To a series of gasps and raucous applause, the show comes to an end. As we wander outside of the tent, discussing the pure athleticism just witnessed, the performers themselves and there, wishing everyone goodbye – a nice, grounded end to a sky-high show.

By Alex Craddock