GASHA makes its Fringe World debut as a circus show that leans into a Japanese theme, describing itself as ‘a new wave of Japanese circus’ and as a ‘vivid dreamscape’.
Presented by Cirquework, the show brings together a variety of circus acts including hair suspension, hoops, silks, and acrobatics. GASHA attempts to weave them into a continuous sensory experience, with live musical components, costuming and contrasting visual design.
Walking in and being seated in the Ice Cream Factory warehouse, a large screen at the rear of the stage displayed ‘GASHA’ in large white text. Being the very first day of Fringe World, the audience waited, full of anticipation. When the show began, pulsating Japanese text and a chanting voiceover filled the room, which then morphed into a vibrating display of light and colour across the screen throughout which set the ‘dreamscape’ mood. This visual display worked alongside a dynamic soundtrack that moved between high-energy beats and slower, more brooding moments. Part of the show involved an amplified shamisen (a Japanese banjo-like stringed instrument with a twanging tone) alongside electric guitar and percussion.
Standout parts of the routine were the giant hoop, which was executed with much elegance and strength, and the hair suspension routine, which always amazes, though not without some shock factor. Though I have seen this performer before in other shows, and also with the knowledge she is a professional, I still felt anxious watching it. It was, of course, executed flawlessly, and was a standout part of the show’s routine. The costuming was also a crucial part of the show, with kimono-inspired garments and wide, flowing pants in that classic Japanese style filling the stage with patterns and voluminous fabric. This helped to pull together the ‘Japanese’ theme.
Overall, whilst GASHA is ambitious and has amazing potential, it does feel like a debut work still finding its rhythm. At times, the cohesion between acts faltered, with some elements feeling a little slow on the pacing, and transitions that were unpolished at times. The overall flow did not always match the impressive skills of the individual performers.
Despite this, the creativity, effort and commitment of the performers is admirable. There were several genuinely engaging and fun moments, and this could be the foundation of something truly spectacular. As a debut show, GASHA offers an interesting dash of circus, live music and vivid visuals, and I’d be interested to see how it develops beyond Fringe World.
GASHA is at Fringe World from Jan 21- Feb 15.