Featuring a blend of syncopated circus acts and cool fluid jazz sounds, Adagio - Seriously Sophisticated Circus, takes circus out of the tent and into the theatre.

Adagio is a combination of physical theatre, circus, contemporary dance, music and comedy. Directed by multi award winning director Deborah Pope it shows six beating hearts playing with the isolation of being in a crowd. Featuring a blend of syncopated circus acts and cool fluid jazz sounds, Adagio - Seriously Sophisticated Circus, takes circus out of the tent and into the theatre.

Adagio is a combination of physical theatre, circus, contemporary dance, music and comedy. Directed by multi award winning director Deborah Pope it shows six beating hearts playing with the isolation of being in a crowd.ADAGIO, part of Downstage's 2008 Spring Showcase Seasons Change, is arthouse circus at its best, an evolving art form which is only just beginning to capture the imaginations of New Zealand audiences.

ADAGIO features an ensemble of highly skilled physical performers, unique in their approach to theatre making. Mason West, Rowan Heydon-White, Angela Green, Jenny McArthur, Rosie Langabeer, Asalemo Tofete and Vicki Jones lay bare their hearts, poetically and physically.

Director Deborah Pope uses circus techniques with real creativity, beauty, virtuosity and generosity in ADAGIO. Deeply committed to training and presenting her work at the highest possible skill level without compromise, Pope won various international awards, among them the "Total Theatre Award" for Deadly at the 1999 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Les jeunes Talents du Cirque competition in Paris.

Music designer Jonathan Crayford has gained international recognition and is in high demand as instrumentalist and composer. Crayford made it to the cutting edge of the New York scene within many genres of music. In addition to performing and recording, Jonathan composed orchestral scores for television programs and feature films like Mr Wrong and Ruby and Rata, which picked up "Best Original Score" at the New Zealand Film Awards.

Adagio is playing at Downstage Theatre from Friday 10 October, Monday to Wednesday at 6.30 pm and Thursday to Saturday at 7.30 pm. There will be two $20 previews on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October and afternoon matinees at 3 pm on Saturday 18 and 25 October.

Ticket prices range from $20 to $42. Special early bird and group discounts apply. Tickets can be purchased online at www.downstage.co.nz, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage's box office.

Concept & Direction: Deborah Pope
Music Design: Jonathan Crayford
Starring: Mason West, Rowan Heydon-White, Angela Green, Jenny McArthur, Rosie Langabeer and Vicki Jones

For more information on the show please visit www.downstage.co.nz/adagio or the Downstage Theatre Blog at www.downstagetheatre.blogspot.com

Downstage Theatre and Awkward Productions take circus out of the tent

29/09/08