Asian Premiere Confronting destruction and regeneration through hypnotic soundscapes and poetic physicality Paradisum explores the mythology of rebirth following the silence of a destroyed world, bodies become the only means of communication and movement is– the only shared language. From the swirling natural energies of the 'fabric of life', pulsating around them, the creatures of this new existence emerge and enact purification, birth, awakening, and sacred ritual in their pursuit of anima mundi – the world’s soul. Directed and choreographed by Bence Vági, the work extends Recirquel’s artistic trajectory within the cirque danse genre, which merges modern dance, circus arts, and theatre into a poetic and highly refined movement language. Within the contemporary circus field, this approach represents a distinct and elevated artistic direction: acrobatics dissolve into choreographic gesture, and physical risk is leveraged as expressive force rather than spectacle. The performance’s visual world plays a dramaturgical role equal to that of the human body. The “fabric of life” appears as a shifting, breathing stage presence, continuously transforming – from roaring sea to sheltering leaf, floating stingray, or whispering wind – remaining in constant dialogue with the performers. Scenography and movement together create a world that feels elemental and alive. Rather than following a linear narrative, Paradisum unfolds through a sequence of evocative, symbolic states, creating a space where ancient myth and contemporary concerns intersect. Its soundscape and visual design support this journey, shaping an atmosphere that is both ethereal and visceral.
Paradisum had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it was met with strong audience response and highly positive critical reception. This performance at HKPAX marks its Asian premiere.
Co-produced with Müpa Budapest and Liszt Fest (Hungary).