If you started with a circus, and took away the circus, you’d be left with nothing. If you started with nothing, and took away the circus, you’d be left with Retinal Damage, the physical theatre show by Skye Gellmann, which I attended on Saturday night. The resulting “negative circus” has much the same shape as a circus show, but in completely the opposite direction. Skye hasn’t merely stripped back the caked layers of circus, but turned it around and presented the result from the other side.

Skye Gellmann Production Shot
A circus show contains bright and colourful lights. Retinal Damage contained no lighting, apart from a solitary slide projector, managed by Mish Colla. Most of the slides were blank, leaving just a stark white rectangle outlining the plain white backdrop. Other slides provided simple hand-painted washes of colour to soften the contrast between stillness and movement on stage.

A circus show contains booming music and cheering crowds. Retinal Damage contained no music – no sound at all, except the hum of the slide projector fan, and the occasional rumble from the train-tracks near the theatre. The audience sat silently, breath held, for the entire show. I had a camera in my hand, but took no pictures for fear that the slight click of the shutter would break the trance.

A circus show contains over-the-top characters and costumes. Skye’s character remained silent and impassive throughout. His costume was simple street clothes – sometimes shirtless, sometimes with no clothes at all. (The nudity wasn’t played for shock nor for sexuality, but as a nature extension to the minimalism of the piece.)

Most importantly of all, a circus show highlights the skills and stunts of the performers, making it appear easy and painless, and hiding the real effort involved. Skye reverses that trope. He performs many difficult stunts, but hides them in pitch blackness. We hear him do dozens of backflips, but don’t see a single one. We do see the effect of the exertion on his body, as he gradually becomes exhausted. We see the pain as he throws himself around the stage.

Other circus skills are revealed, perhaps reluctantly – often his own eyes are closed. We see rigid handstands and difficult balances. He explores an intriguing and innovative variation of tight-rope walking with two short planks. He attempts a handstand on an oversize bowling ball; an astonishingly difficult skill, and – unlike normal circus – he does not try to hide or play-down his repeated attempts, how challenging the skill is or the physical toll the effort is taking.

With an intimate seating arrangement, up close to the action, this is a challenging and thought-provoking piece. If you find circus too shallow and don’t believe it is a true artform, you should see this performance. It will both confirm your views and blow them out of the water.

Retinal Damage
Directed by Terri Cat Silvertree.

12 Sep, 8:00pm
16 Sep, 9:30pm
17 Sep, 8:00pm

$22/$18

PACT Theatre, 107 Railway Parade, Erskineville

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