TRACES

Enmeng Song, Lucas Boutin. Photo Credit: Alexandre Galliez.

Of all of the performing arts, circus is perhaps the most specific in its imagery—acrobatics performed at staggering heights showcasing human strength and flexibility. These elements, as well as those of contemporary dance and theatre, are rolled into the unique force of nature that is Traces, a spectacularly high-energy production now on stage at the Panasonic Theatre.

Bold, original, and bursting with the incredible talents of seven young performers, Traces puts a breathtaking spin on the definition of circus performance. The production was created in 2006 by Les 7 Doigts De La Main/The 7 Fingers of the Hand, a company made up of seven founding members who combined their individual talents to work toward common artistic goals—ultimately forming a hand with seven fingers. The company's multi-disciplinary approach to performance is the basis for Traces, an entertaining production featuring music, acrobatics, skateboarding and even basketball. Performed over 1,800 times in 25 countries and 200 cities around the world, Traces is the winner of multiple awards and made TIME's top 10 list in 2011.

Toronto's Panasonic Theatre exploded with a highly unique and electric energy Wednesday night when the seven performers (Kevin Beverley, Lucas Boutin, Anne-Marie Godin, Kai Johnson, Yann Leblanc, Harley McLeish and Enmeng Song) burst onto the stage. The audience doesn't have to wait long to find out more about the performers, as a microphone falls from the sky and various multimedia is projected on a backdrop in order to give us a few facts about each person.

This provides a very human approach to a production that does not follow a typical narrative or story. The audience is treated to a variety of acrobatic feats including a scene where the performers take turns climbing up a Chinese pole, using just their hands and holding the audience spellbound as they jump back and forth flawlessly.

Another massive highlight of the production is a solo trapeze performance by Kevin Beverley who uses his strength and grace to soar across the stage. Traces is an effective mix of these acrobatic performances mixed with a fabulously choreographed skateboard sequence and several thought-provoking soliloquies by the actors at various points in the show. Just before the final curtain falls, the production takes its talent, energy, and acrobatics to an entirely new level that will leave the audience completely speechless.

Each performer spends the majority of the production showcasing their own individual talent, but in Traces' final half hour, the ensemble works as a team to truly blow the audience away.

Traces is not to be missed during its short run in Toronto. Catch it until January 3, 2016 at the Panasonic Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.