Four years after Columbia signed a deal aiming to end half a century of conflict with guerilla rebels, the country is still weighed down by turbulence. Aceleré, however, sees a cast of unshakable young graduates from Colombia’s national circus school hurtling towards a brighter future.

The 60-minute Adelaide Fringe performance shows what young people can achieve when given the space and opportunity to do so. 

With a soundtrack of dubstep and piano melodies, punctuated by heart-stopping moments of silence, the show moves through roughly nine acrobatic vignettes. Two female ring-masters sing Latin pop songs in between sets, giving the crowd a much-needed emotional reprieve from the drama and an opportunity to unglue their hands from their cheeks. 

Some pieces have a vague narrative – like star-crossed lovers lifting up one another with their teeth, or competitors battling for the best 10m-high somersault. There are moments when the acrobats show off their strength, with ear-to-ear smiles, while we wonder when the last time was that we tried a simple somersault. 

While mainstream circus companies like Cirque Du Soleil pride themselves on their perfect performances, Aceleré is refreshing because of its rawness. Acrobats only just missing or making the landing in a daring routine gives room for grit. It reminds us that these performers are not invincible and are always putting themselves at risk with these nail-bitingly dangerous acts. 

Circolombia is a professional agency that creates touring works featuring graduates of Colombia’s national circus school, and through Aceleré, the young performers truly show what they are capable of.

“This show, I think, represents more what is happening in Colombia [now] … it’s really coming ahead and it’s about providing opportunities and people grabbing those opportunities with two hands and literally throwing themselves into it,” says Circolombia co-founder Felicity Simpson. 

Circolombia’s Aceleré is being presented by Arts Projects Australia at The Peacock at Gluttony throughout the full season of Adelaide Fringe.

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