Limbo @ The Wonderground Festival Review

Ever wondered what it would be like to run away with the circus? To have the predictable 9-5 turned on it’s head and replaced with daring acrobatic spectacles and awe inspiring magic tricks? Well look no further, as the Wonderground Festival presents the ever shifting, ever evolving world of Limbo

LIMBO at London Wonderground festival, 2013. Photographer David Solm.

Marking their second season at this year’s Wonderground Festival, and boasting an array of fans including the likes of pop icon Madonna, Scott Maidment‘s international hit returns with edge and sass! A nod to our human flaws and the 7 cardinal sins, Limbo is continuous tussle between the limitless heights of heaven, and the sweltering depths of hell. Sxip Shirey‘s unique and zany compositions solidify the production, a smorgasbord of musical influences ranging from Hip Hop Beat Boxing bass lines to the mellow and uplifting European tones of the Harmonica and the Accordion. The house band effortlessly draw in the attention of the crowd with a non-stop party starting soundtrack; courtesy of Grant Arthur, Mick Stuart and Sxip Shirey, there is never a dull moment!

Jonathan Nosan stuns with his eye watering contortion act. Enough to encourage the crowd to take up a yoga class or two, Nosan’s superhuman abilities to arch himself backwards and stretch his limbs over his head knows no limits! Nosan ingeniously takes on the properties of plasticine; a malleable, adaptable, unpredictable presence, shapeshifting as the elements change around him. Hilton Denis channels the show stopping dance routines of the Hollywood Golden Age. With a combination of light hearted comedy, trotting on stage as he takes on the mannerisms of a horse and dynamic tap sequences, Denis transports the audience on a fun filled, mesmerising roller coaster of heel clicks and wings aplenty!

Danik Abishev delights with his awe inspiring balancing routine. Suspended on a series of beams, Abishev presents the character of an imprisoned cellmate, shackled with chains that restrict his movement. As he performs a handstand from a height, Abishev effortlessly jumps from beam to beam, balancing for dear life on a stepping stone-esque set up. Mikael Bres delivers a performance of strength and suspense as he nonchalantly leans and balances against the Chinese pole and when you least suspect it, plummets with only a few centimetres left between himself and the ground. An orchestra of sighs encompass the auditorium as the audience’s gaze transfixes on Bres’ next move, Bres himself the conductor of the audiences disbelief.

Heather Holliday astounds and further adds to the shock value with her unimaginable sword swallowing trick, a stomach churning show stopper that definitely disproves the thoughts of any sceptics in the room! Upping the ante, Holliday bewilders with her fire eating sequence, a juxtaposition between the extinguishing of wild flames and the breathing out sweltering hot flares of fire. An emporium of the surreal and the magical, Limbo merges the talents of all the cast involved; each performer a chameleon in their own right as they adapt to the skills of those around them. A fantastical, jaw dropping, otherworldly production. 4/5

Mikael Bres 3 in LIMBO at London Wonderground festival, 2013. Photographer David Solm.

Limbo is currently showing as part of the Wonderground Festival until Sunday 17th August, for more information on the production, visit here…

Written by Theatrefullstop