Review: Blizzard, Southbank Centre

Reviewing a show titled Blizzard whilst in the midst of a record-breaking May heatwave was always going to be a challenge, but it’s one I was up for – not just to benefit from the icy-cold air conditioning at the Southbank Centre. The multi-talented and renowned Canadian troupe, Flip Fabrique, bring their chilly production to the Southbank for a UK visit as part of a small tour. Formed by a group of likeminded acrobats and circus performers in Quebec City in 2011, this energetic ensemble certainly change the temperature here tonight. With no narrative or dialogue as such, we are visually transported to a cold, frozen space in time, and it seems anything could happen in this chilly, white world.

A very simple stage sets the scene, with plenty of dry ice and some wintry musical and vocal accompaniments, which continue throughout the whole 75-minute show. Christophe Magnan-Bossé does a fine job on his hybrid piano and keyboards, wrapped up like it’s minus 20 degrees, whilst being moved around the stage throughout. Flawless. The rest of the cast slowly appear in the mists, dressed up in their padded winter gear, peeking through the blizzard at their new reality.

Some very clever, nail-biting high-wire work starts proceedings, provoking more than a few gasps from the audience. As the cast reveal themselves and warm up, we are treated to numerous, gripping acrobatic exploits on the ropes and floor mats, some individual but mainly group displays. These clearly demonstrate the huge trust and connection between the troupe, yet occasionally, as they break into some slow dance and movement pieces, this is lost. Maybe they’re just grateful for the breather in between the bigger acts and need to focus on actually breathing. As time moves on, there are different takes on juggling, acrobatics, contortionism and a lighter moment where a trip into the audience has a few of the crowd looking slightly nervous.

Not only are the cast involved in the acrobatics and dancing throughout, they are also assembling the equipment and reconstructing the set as the show progresses – no mean feat given the temperature outside, along with the pace of the show and thrilling acts on display.

The team’s concentration and focus on the performance gives the production a somewhat serious tone which is, however, brightened up by some lovely clowning moments that bring warmth to the cold, wintry theme. Beautifully choreographed movements and exchanges dress one semi-naked performer in a multi-layered winter outfit, with everyone playing their part. Later, the same performer lightens the mood with some contortionism on top of the piano, before transitioning into bright and rather magical hula-hooping against an otherwise misty- grey backdrop.

A highlight is the use throughout the show of a simple rectangular structure on the stage, sometimes filled with light to great effect, creating haunting shadows; sometimes empty but being used as a kind of climbing frame for the performers. Towards the end of the performance, the box is upended to create a tall landing platform for three extremely nimble trampolinists to bounce on and off, forwards and backwards. Finally, the frame is tipped on to one of its corners where the whole troupe climb on top of each other, creating a thrilling final image. All of this with the pianist still playing in and around it, not dropping a single note.

From a rather slow start, Blizzard builds to become a thoroughly enjoyable piece of family-friendly performance art. And once the action finds its pace, the 75-minute ride flies by like a snowball in flight.

Original concept: FLIP Fabrique
Artistic Direction: Bruno Gagnon
Director: Olivier Normand
Scenic Design: Marie-Renée Bourget Harvey
Lighting Design: Caroline Ross
Costumes: Erica Schmitz
Music: Ben Nesrallah

Blizzard runs at Southbank Centre until Sunday 31 May.