Becoming Shades

“One by one they were all becoming shades. Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age.” James Joyce – The Dead

Bringing together live music, aerial acrobatics, fire, dance and mime, Becoming Shades is a story of empowerment, love and choices: a re-imagining of the classic myth of Persephone told through contemporary circus. Fragments, movements and tableaus, references and costume combine to create a show that is full of hope and sorrow. A dream, a memory, an echo; this shifting, cyclical tale creates an emotional tapestry of ideas and impressions that make up a dark and cerebral journey.

Whilst, the original myth portrays the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades – which brings about the birth of the seasons – this re-telling subverts the power structure and places Persephone in the centre of a story she controls, leading to her true realisation as The Queen of Shades. This is a dark immersive circus show, with great emphasis placed on the original music which features rich interplays of vocal harmonies and a combination of live acoustic instruments and darker electronic sounds.