Leaky Heaven Circus
in

Bonobo!
by Michele Valiquette and Stephen Hill

Venue The Russian Hall Dates 9 - 21 August2005

Reviewer Jane Penistan

 

Director Stephen Hill Musical director Ben Rogalsky Set design Julie Martens Lighting Itai Erdal

Ape costumes Melody Anderson and Christine Hackman Human costumes Christine Hackman Technical director Ken Rackahn

Composer/Musicians Duane Murrin, Ben Rogalsky and Sarah Shugarman Choreography Wendy Gorling Stage manager Deborah Lount

Preceded by a rollicking carnival, The Leaky Heaven Circus opened onobo! to an enthusiastic full house. According to the programme, the bonobo are our nearest cousins in the non human world. Though the bonobo are dwarf size, they are very intelligent, but have no actual speech.

Research has shown that possibly the species can be taught to recognise signs displayed on a board. At the Leaky Heaven Circus are scientists researching this theory, and on this hangs the tale.

Lois Anderson is the chief researcher and Peter Anderson is head of the funding foundation. They discuss their findings and conclusions throughout the performance, from the laboratory, or reading from academic papers. They do not agree.

In the centre of the arena are large mobile cages, and here the incredible apes perform. Colin Heath and Manon Beaudoin are Matata and Kanzi, the major subjects of the scientists.

 

 

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The movements and gestures of the pair are a marvelous amalgam of simian stance and walk with human facial expression and body language. The athletic and gymnastic prowess of the two are amazing in their skill and physical ability while their partly masked faces transmit wordless messages.

Others in the cast perform in or on the cages climbing and tumbling as other bonobos in the investigative programme.

The outstanding skill of the performers, with the background of the academic but humourous dialogue of the somewhat pretentious scientists, together with the outstanding musical accompaniment, make this an evening of great entertainment for audiences of all ages.

c 2005 Jane Penistan

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