BEYOND

boundless bridge builders

BEYOND is a vibrant and energetic, yet poetic circus and dance performance that tests, challenges and ultimately transcends boundaries. Choreographed by Piet Van Dycke, BEYOND features six professional performers, each an expert in a different discipline - ladder walking, acrodance, acrobike, partner acrobatics and pole dancing. On stage, they become boundless bridge builders.

Using ladders of varying sizes and heights, the performers construct impressive structures, such as arch sculptures and rotating cranes. They balance the ladders to create a thrilling, unstable playing field. They explore unknown territories, climb, float and engage in a daring choreography. Every inch and every second counts. They push the boundaries and discover how far they can push each other. Physical dependence has never been this exciting.‍ BEYOND explores the fragility, absurdity and the strength of boundaries, showing how we can expand them through collaboration. Together, we dance on the collective ladders of human imagination.

Credits

Concept, choreography: Piet Van Dycke‍

Performers: Helena Berger, Aurora Mesropyan, Josse Roger, Daniele Ippolito, Marylou Aupic, Georgia Begbie ‍

Music: Bastian Benjamin ‍

Dramaturgy: Marie Peeters ‍

Installation: Arjan Kruidhof ‍

Costume: Oona Mampuys

Lightdesign: Raf Wouters, Casper Van Overschee

Technique: Casper Van Overschee

Executive producer: Sam Cunningham

Production: Circumstances vzw ‍

Co-production: Festival Boulevard, CIRC’UIT, Circuswerkplaats Dommelhof, PERPLX, Perpodium, Miramiro, Cirklabo, Stad Leuven, fABULEUS ‍

Special thanks to: Ella Copermans, Destelheide, HET LAB, C-mine, CC MUZE, CC Casino, De Adelberg Cultural Centre, CC Maasmechelen, CC de VELINX ‍

Supported by: The Flemish Government

Quotes

Evelyne Coussens, e-tcetera

What makes BEYOND so beautiful, besides its thoughtful dramaturgical structure and the impressive acrobatic work, is the interplay between the performers themselves and their caring attention toward the audience. In BEYOND, they explore all — truly all — possibilities of their objects, their bodies, and with that, also of my imagination.

★★★★ - Filip Tielens, De Standaard

Later, straight ladders are added, with which the performers form a hexagonal prism and climb it, purely by balancing each other. It’s a beautifully serene moment, just before building towards a spectacular climax. With BEYOND, Circumstances has once again crafted a broad public hit.

Kester Freriks, Theaterkrant

Seemingly, they perform the acrobatic, swirling moves effortlessly. Together, they build a sculpture of bodies, throw themselves from great ladder heights into each other’s arms, and make the audience dizzy for a moment by swinging above their heads. The interaction with the spectators is pleasant; they look at us as if to say, ‘everything will be all right.’

Joost Goutziers, Brabant Cultuur

When you build bridges, you find the other and achieve goals you wouldn’t have thought possible.

2025

Deventer op Stelten

Deventer (NL)