Review: Circus City: Hive City Legacy, Circomedia

Powerful, deeply personal and perfectly executed, the Femmes of Colour pack more into a one hour show than many manage in a lifetime.

With their bold, high energy moves, some dazzling feats of aerial circus and a healthy dose of satire, the performers quite literally give the middle finger to the patriarchy, societal “norms” and anyone – or anything – that might serve to keep them down as they set about shaking up the status quo.

It all culminates in the audience swarming on stage to join the cast in a euphoric dance of solidarity, but the scene deep inside the hallowed halls of Circomedia’s HQ in a former church on Portland Square starts off a touch more sedate.

One guy is challenging the bar staff on the single-use plastic cups and people shuffle across seats good-naturedly as the cross-generational audience pack inside, last minute stragglers clutching their ciders as they apologetically scramble in for the Saturday night performance of Femmes of Colour in Hive City Legacy.

It’s the second of a two-night run for the show, making its regional premiere in Bristol as part of the Circus City lineup. The set is stark and simple; hexagonal towers below a round logo with a bee inside bearing the legend Pollinate, Activate, Liberate.

An intriguing, almost ethereal start – featuring a lone artist and the power of movement and light – gives way to an explosive performance as the Femmes burst boldly onto the stage, carrying backpacks bearing their bee symbol and sending energies soaring.

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Touching on the appalling treatment of the Windrush generation and ingrained racial prejudices, spiralling into mental health, sexuality and solidarity, the captivating and unapologetic performance challenges, provokes and, ultimately, empowers.

One artist speaks of finally learning to love her Afro hair only to have its professionalism questioned at work, another of growing to appreciate her body for all its strengths rather than focusing on perceived weaknesses.

The diverse group of London-based artists deliver their message with a nod and a wink, perfectly satirising British scenes all too familiar to many and bringing the audience on board as they redefine narratives.

From break dancing to aerial acrobatics to spoken word, and a bit of twerking for good measure, the performers flawlessly riff off each other as they combine intersecting tales and raise the roof of the historic church.

It’s a timely, must-see show that’s as unique as the each of the artists it in; simultaneously action-packed, poignant and uplifting, delivered with a sting in its tail and a sashay in its stride.

Photos from performance of Hive City Legacy at the Roundhouse, London. All photos by Helen Murray

Read more: Preview: Circus City 2019