REVIEW: In Tarsi - The Lowry Theatre, Salford.

Four agile and incredibly talented young men.. Armando Rabanera Muro, Fabio Nicolini, Fabrizio Giannini, and Manuel Roses Moreto... perform a one hour non-stop modern day 'circus' show which  is both humorous and intense at one at the same time.

Eia, is a Catalan company and their latest creation, In Tarsi, takes us on a journey of friendship, belonging, and creating a need for happiness and lightness whether that be alone or with others.

Directed by Jordi Aspa with the company and choreographed by Michelle Man they take the disciplines of tumbling and  acrobatics to new levels by interpolating them with physical theatre, interpretive dance and even skipping!

The acrobatics are breathtaking, the split-second timing, the control, and the ease and laissez-faire attitude which accompanies these routines makes them look so easy and effortless - such is their mastery. The four make highly engaging performers who not only work superbly together, but also know how to engage their audiences too; drawing them in to their world where they are sad and alone one minute and chasing each other like Ton and Jerry the next!

The stage was set as we entered the auditorium. A circular platform with a trampoline in the centre of this dais and a pole on one side. A man was standing on the platform watching another man build a Jenga game. He watches and then tries to catch his attention by using both the trampoline and pole to do some 'tricks' and clever moves. When the man finally completes the Jenga blocks and brings them over for them to play, this literally kick-starts the first of several light-hearted vignettes which sees these four men perform the craziest and cleverest of stunts with apparent ease. The circular platform gets taken apart and the individual pieces are used over and again for various 'games' , and the whole thing ends with the four rolled into a tiny ball on top of the tallest of these, (picture above).

Mood music and subtle lighting helped to create the illusions and the atmosphere, but without the talented performers and their inventiveness, it would have been nothing.

This was certainly one of the best shows in this genre I have seen, ever. Highly entertaining, hugely creative, and with four performers who are absolutely at the top of their game. Words like 'stunning' and 'remarkable' still don't seem, somehow, to do it justice. I shall certainly be on the look out for future productions from Circo Eia!

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 8/10/18