The Belgian circus production Exit, now playing at Zoo Southside in Edinburgh, presents a quartet of acrobats who use a scaffold structure with multiple doors to create a symphony of comings and goings. The show, choreographed by Piet Van Dycke, blends farce with serious acrobatic skill, but ultimately rests too long in a single register, leaving room for more mystery.
Four performers, one set, endless possibilities
As the performance begins, four performers enter the auditorium and walk among the audience, but they are sizing up the space, not the spectators. On stage, a scaffold structure with a cutaway design and a white facade features several doors, which soon frame a series of frantic arrivals and departures. The slamming doors create an element of farce as the cast move in and out, becoming human dominoes and narrowly missing each other. The program notes suggest that no one has time to knock during these frantic entrances, and the choreography emphasizes the chaos.
The set, designed by Arjan Kruidhof and Arjen Schoneveld, appears simple at first but opens up new possibilities when one wall becomes a giant teeterboard, allowing one performer to almost reach the lighting rig. The production is family-friendly, yet it includes a cheeky hint at what might be happening behind those closed doors, with a subtle suggestion that swiping right could be a factor in the increasing acrobatics.
From light comedy to building tension
Bastiaan van Vuuren’s initially twinkling score moves from accentuating light intrigue and comedy to building tension as the show progresses. The performers undertake a series of costume changes that are so subtle that the audience barely notices them at first, adding to the sense of transformation and surprise.
The rotating cast features today’s quartet – Harrison Claxton, Luuk Brantjes, Christopher McAuley and Samuel Rhyner – who demonstrate strength, skill and charisma, working harmoniously as a team. Their physicality is impressive, and the choreography by Piet Van Dycke showcases their abilities in a series of increasingly complex tricks.
A fun but one-note symphony
Despite the fun and skill on display, the production ultimately rests too long in one register. The reviewer was reminded of the circus show Sawdust Symphony, performed in the same space two years ago, which got richer by the minute. In contrast, Exit is more of an open-and-shut case, and the reviewer suggests that a bit of extra mystery wouldn’t go amiss.
The show runs at Zoo Southside, Edinburgh, until 30 August. For those attending, the reviewer recommends taking a side seat to appreciate the full effect of the doors and the performers’ movements. While Exit is an enjoyable and well-executed piece of circus theatre, it may leave audiences wanting more depth and variety in its narrative and emotional range.
