By Trial & Error is delightful and wholesome show that showcases outstanding acrobatic performances inspired by slapstick and silent film: perfect for young audiences.Rating
Unmissable!
As the young audience waits impatiently in their seats for the start of the show, a recorded formal announcement reminds us of the rules of engagement: children remain the responsibility of their parents at all times! Performers Loïse Manuel and Hugo Marchand then march on to the empty black stage dressed to mimic each other in red and tan t-shirts and black leggings. The dominant colour of Loïse’s t-shirt is the secondary colour of Hugo’s. He wears red shoes, whilst hers are black. In other words, they are a complementary pair: intrinsically dependent on each other, as is their act. But as they turn to each other, they seem unsure of the first move, limbs are clumsily misplaced. They doubt themselves. They fall. They gurn.
What follows is nothing short of brilliant. Inspired by slapstick humour and silent film, the pair perform astonishing lifts full of character and humour. They are uncertain of their moves and frequently make “mistakes”: lifts fail, balance falters and they fall to the ground in confusion. In complete silence.
The title is both representative of the act and a metaphor for life, and whilst they feign irritation with each other, their act only works when they work together which they do brilliantly. Inevitably, the most impressive acrobatic feats are when they pretend to mess up, narrowly avoiding calamity by the briefest of margins.
Aimed at children between four and ten, the show is perfectly pitched for that group. The audience absolutely loved it and the walls echoed with their laughter. Their attention never drifts and they remain enthralled for the duration; completely invested and believing every performance trick.
About two thirds of the way through, the pair realise: where is the music?! So far everything has been performed in silence. House lights come up and a CD is produced and several failed attempts to make it work ensue. Hugo disappears so Loïse is forced to turn to the audience for a partner. A young girl is selected and throws herself in to the action with bravery and humour. Hugo returns to the stage and swiftly removes the child from Loïse’s grasp as one would a prop and continues his routine to the audience’s hilarity.
The pair then leave the stage and once again the audience hears the same announcement as at the beginning of the show. This time music and lights work correctly and the pair perform their routine brilliantly: no mistakes, just immaculate and complex acrobatic moves which require the utmost confidence in each other.
This is a delightful and genuinely wholesome show that celebrates the unique and the clumsy whilst maintaining an outstanding level of performance. With no fixed props involved, the act relies solely on human skill, making their achievements all the more breathtaking. I have rarely seen such a young audience as engaged.
Created and Performed by Le Cirque Content Pour Peu
Produced by Cyrielle Piquet
Technician: Nicolas James
Costume Design by Laura Kerouredan
By Trial and Error plays at The Unicorn Theatre until Sunday 22 February.
