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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Review: 'Circuscope' at the Actors Gymnasium

 

Consider the lowly tardigrades. They neither toil nor spin. But in "Circuscope," these tiny, water-dwelling creatures come into glorious focus through artists who spin, dance, juggle, drum, clown and otherwise turn the Actors Gymnasium into a kinetic and thrilling trip through the lens piece, while making it all look toil-free.
Created by Dean Evans and director Vanessa Stalling, "Circuscope" imagines the world inhabited by these eight-legged organisms, a half-millimeter in length, also adorably known as "water bears" or "moss piglets," who are able to withstand extreme environments. (Tardigrades are also said to be the first known animals to survive in outer space.) And what can be more extreme than the gravity-defying work of expert aerialists?

It's a high concept, but you needn't be a biology whiz to enjoy the antics of Evans and his fellow clown, Molly Plunk, who serve as our tour guides. And if you have youngsters intrigued by the possibilities of circus arts, this show's generous use of the Actors Gymnasium's ridiculously gifted youth ensemble should seal the deal.

Click here to read the full review on the Chicago Tribune

See the show through March 22 at the Actors Gymnasium, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston; $20 at 847-328-2795 or actorsgymnasium.com

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