Friday, 23 September 2016

An evening at the circus

Of the many things that happen here at Penn State University there is always many cultural performances for students to attend.  Throughout the year university alumni and staff members sponsor a range of touring cultural groups.  Not only does this mean these groups come and perform in State College but also that students can get discounted tickets to world-class performances. 

It was thanks to this sponsorship that last Wednesday we took the night off revising for exams to watch Cique Eloize perform their new show ‘Saloon’.

We watched the show at the Eisenhower Auditorium on campus (a huge theatre easily rivaling the size of many in Wellington) and marveled at the sheer skill of the acrobats.  The show was set in Mid-West America with all the performances dressed as cow girls and boys, swinging off a set made to resemble a mid-west saloon. My favourite part was the ‘seesaw’ performance in which three of the actors performed jaw-dropping somersaults by launching themselves off a seesaw.  There were certainly a few hairy moments with the audience braced on the edge of their seats as the acrobats made their landings on the moving seesaw in the nick of time. Even more worryingly was the uncertainty as to whether these quick exchanges were planned or not …

Other highlights included some incredible partner acrobatic work, two girls contorting around a Catherine Wheel suspended above the stage and live country music. 

Although I feel this description has not done the performance justice unfortunately we were unable to take any photos so I have no photographic proof of just how incredible the show was . Once again Penn State astounds me by the sheer range of activities and opportunities it provides … if Cirque Eloize should pass by you I would certainly recommend it !






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