NoFit State Circus – Sabotage at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Thanks to No Fit State for providing us with review tickets to Sabotage

NoFit State’s highly acclaimed Sabotage has arrived in Cardiff for its final ever run of performances, following four years of wowing audiences across the UK and Europe.

The Cardiff-based company has been creating contemporary circus shows since 1986, fusing traditional circus skills with live music, expressive dance, and stunning stage design. The result is a show that will leave you marvelling at the incredible feats you know you yourself would never be able to attempt, never mind master.

Particular ‘wow’ moments for us included a performer who ascended from beneath the stage lifted up into the air by only a metal hoop attached to a bun in her hair and contorted her limbs into all sorts of unthinkable positions; a performer who ‘seat dropped’ onto an elasticated tight rope and bounced back up and down, landing on his feet and his whole body without so much as a wobble; and another arm-based routine from a performer with the most incredible upper body strength, balancing skills and a core of steel.

There are moments where individual performers shine and others where the whole company comes together for beautiful routines that fill the big top with acrobatics and aerial dance, hoop juggling and diving through hoops. This is a company who eat, sleep, and travel together as well as perform night after night, and the energy, not to mention the trust, between them fills the big top.

Throughout the show, a live band performs an eclectic mix of original music which perfectly complements the different acts, enhancing the atmosphere but never distracting from the show.

I also kept finding my eye drawn to the performers shimmying up and down the four metal ladder structures, acting as pulleys for aerial performers, moving hooks and clips. Often they were doing this with muted lighting and even in near darkness, ensuring the whole production moves seamlessly and that everyone stays safe. I found myself holding my breath at times.

A deeper political message runs through the production – challenging the establishment, and exploring the struggle of belonging and being heard. At one point, performers enter the stage wearing headpieces of various political figures such as Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. When the masks are removed, they are free to be themselves. At times the political narrative is a little ambiguous, but it didn’t distract from the performance though, which was so uplifting and inspiring.

Age guidance wise, as the company points out, “Nothing in Sabotage makes it unsuitable for children, but it was not made specifically for them.” I took my 15 year old who loved it but I’d say it’s suitable for age five and above and you definitely don’t need to children to go along. I fact, at the performance we attended, there were more groups consisting solely of adults than there were of families. NoFit have a lot of support here in Cardiff and that was certainly in evidence on opening weekend.

Sabotage is at the NoFit State Big Top Tent, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, CF11 9HW.
Performances take place from Wednesday 17-Sunday 21 and Tuesday 23-Sunday 28 September.

Tickets costs £26-£29 for adults, £16-19 for concessions and £65-75 for a family of four.

See the NoFitState website for more information and to book online.