Heka
Everything is not as it seems…
Inspired by magic, surrealism and the choreography of illusion
The UK and London premiere of Gandini Juggling’s first new show for three years. Contemporary circus innovators Gandini Juggling will give the UK and London premiere of Heka, its first new show for three years, at The Place, London from 30 January to 1 February as part of Mime London. The female jugglers emerge as the true protagonists of Heka, channelling the Egyptian goddess after whom the show is named, and challenging the gender stereotypes that have long persisted in the field of magic.
Infused with a captivating blend of humour and philosophy, Heka draws inspiration from 20th-century magic tricks, mind games and sleights of hand. Embracing elements of contemporary choreography, it reimagines magic using repetition, counterpoint and misdirection and explores the dynamics of group magic, probing the possibilities of multiple hands and gestures and delving into the nuances of delay and anticipation. The result is a mesmerising choreography of juggling where everything is definitely not as it seems.
Heka marks a departure for director Sean Gandini as he revisits the fascination with magic which began during his childhood in Havana. Using magic as a source of creativity and a choreographic language, he deconstructs the movements we associate with magic to create new and unexpected juggling tricks. Two magicians – Yann Frisch (France) and Kalle Nio (Finland) – have worked as magic consultants on the show.
Though a departure for Sean, it does continue a quest that Sean has been on as he told me, when we chatted about one of his other shows. He felt that juggling had been pretty much left on the bench as far as combining circus skills and theatre, something he has been keen to look at over the years and act as a matchmaker to the lonely art of juggling.
Formed in 1992 by Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala, Gandini Juggling works at the vanguard of contemporary circus, reinventing and reinvigorating juggling for the 21st century. In creating their work, Gandini Juggling collaborates with a wide range of cultural leaders, initially teaming up with the pioneering dance artist and choreographer Gill Clarke.
The company continues to be influenced by a range of artforms, artists and specialists including, amongst others, composers, choreographers, fashion designers, computer programmers, sound designers, set makers and mathematicians. To see this current combination delight and astonish you, full details of the tour can be found on their website.
