Splish Spalsh in the Circus

Picture a circus and what do you see? Elephants? Clowns? Trapeze Artists? Now picture a circus obsessed with water, filled with moisture, slippery H20, and you begin to get a sense of Soap. Soap, conceived with choreographed by Markus Pabst and Maximillian Rambaek, opens with an opera singer and closes with a group dance in the rain. Between these two acts are sandwiched bathtub acts.

Each act displays a certain persons speciality and they all come together as one relating to things you would do in the bathroom. This isn't an ordinary circus act as it has opera singers, acrobats, and contemporary dancing all in one. It is set up in a traditional setting where crowds are gathered around the stage, allowing for maximum views of the performers. However, with the use of bathtubs being incorporated, certain acts were hard to see when it is covered by it. Never having gone to a circus before, this was a surprise. Entertaining and engaging, with anxiety rising acts that keep you on the edge of your seat. I was especially impressed by Moritz Haase, performing trapeze and contemporary dancing. The show was elegant yet foolish in a positive way, making the solo acts effective in getting to know the performers themselves.

Since the circus has evolved through time, you can easily tell that they try to bring in all elements of entertainment onto the stage. The water effects allow for an intimate yet quirky additions to each act. One can easily keep up with the narrative of it also. They highlighted all the different songs sang by Jennifer Lindshield, filling the room with beautiful operatic voices. SOAP was able to show their acceptance of gayness and inclusivity, which has become a well known act that is done here in London. It has inspired me to look more into circus acts and hopefully attend another some time in the future.