In the Arms of Morpheus | Robbie Curtis & ARC Circus
In these COVID times, filled with isolation and the endless barrage of the news cycle, sleep may be our only opportunity to throw of the shackles of life in lockdown and chase our dreams. For many, this may be their only respite. So, what happens to our ability to rest with our increasing isolation and so much uncertainty about the future? Add to that the relentless, negative news cycle that tries to force its way into every aspect of our live, and the respite and escape of sleep can become ever more elusive.
Multi-talented circus performer Robbie Curtis (ARC Circus) seeks to address all this and more in his impressive debut solo work, In the Arms of Morpheus. He takes the audience into a world of magical realism where his hero can only escape from the loneliness and isolation of his life is through his dreams and his radio. One provides adventure and release, while the other threatens to break him with its endless barrage of news and ‘advice’.
Robbie utilises an impressive array of skills to tell the story of In the Arms of Morpheus. He incorporates every trick in his extensive repertoire to showcase a man increasingly weighed down by the world around him, whose only escape is chasing his dreams every night. While this could lean into the maudlin in less experienced hands, he imbues his hero with a sense of whimsy, a touch of clown and an old school vaudeville charm that keeps the audience enthralled throughout.
Now first and foremost, I have to pay respect to Robbie’s diverse skillset showcased though out In the Arms of Morpheus. Acrobatics, juggling, aerials, clowning, dance and sleight of hand were all display. How can one person be so good at so many things?
A standout of the show was an incredibly intricate juggling routine utilising both racquets and balls that that brought on multiple spontaneous rounds of applause from the audience. He balanced such high energy crowd pleasers with moments graceful performance and intimate character work. This was particularly highlighted by short pieces of dance mixed with acrobatics that were truly beautiful to watch and aperfectly time sleight of hand trick that made us all gasp.
If there was anything I would change, it would be to add a few more of those slower and more intimate moments to balance out the high energy of the rest of the show.
On top of the skills on display, In the Arms of Morpheus is also enhanced by some of the best staging I’ve seen since Bitch on Heat. The costume, props and set reveal unexpected and inventive surprises throughout the show, which completely immersed me in the whimsical world of magical realism Robbie created.
What was most impressive though, was that each act and staging decision drove the story forward rather than being just played for the applause.
Circus performers have been increasingly playing with circus as a tool for narrative storytelling, something that Robbie is particularly passionate about. While it is not a new concept in circus, it can sometimes be hard to sell an audience on how well it can be used as a story telling device when they are used to performers playing for the applause. As Carlene Newall de Jesus notes, circus allows “performers to explore a three dimensional space with bodies that are constantly pushing the edges of human possibility …” and “provides unique opportunities for presenting metaphor and telling physical narratives.” Robbie shows all this and more to great effect throughout the show.
With In the Arms of Morpheus, Robbie Curtis not only solidifies himself as a performer to watch, he pushes the boundaries of storytelling in contemporary circus. Through outstanding skills and impressive staging, he showcases how well circus can tell moving and immersive narratives. I look forward to what he creates next with ARC Circus.
‘In the Arms of Morpheus’ was presented at HOTA, Home of the Arts and Cluster Arts as part of UNDERGROUND. All images by Katie Bennett @embellysh.
