Circa: Beyond

"There's a line between human and animal, between madness and sanity, between logic and dream." So goes Beyond's setup – and one which plays out in remarkably simple brushstrokes. Less an exploration of psychological tropes and troubles, it rather provides a loose aesthetic over which the Australian circus artists drape their sequence of stunning feats and movements.

In many ways, Beyond's strength lies as much in what it doesn't attempt as in the acrobatic exploits it does. Sensibly, the troupe don't over-egg the central conceit, with the animalistic aesthetic providing inspiration for routines rather than forcing them into a constraining narrative. Striking contrasts are set up: the elegance of balance set against the muscle necessary to pull it off. Beautiful, contorting pairs of bodies hint at aggressive sexuality, with limbs forced into uncomfortable positions by strength and gravity. The movements are uncanny, dangerous and, at times, breathtaking.

But, hard as it is to tire of accomplished stunts and acrobatics, the dreamlike vibe is a tough one to sustain. There's a disappointing amount of repeated movement, and a nagging sense that routines have been extended to the length of (albeit superb) musical choices. Still, it's difficult not to be awed by a man in a bear suit shimmying up a Chinese pole to a soundtrack of Bach's Goldberg Variations – fortunately, in this instance, not all 31 of them.