The unspoken rules of the circus are to be young, impressive, and alluring. So what happens for the older female performers, the ‘show ponies’? With the threat of being rejected by their industry, three circus acts provide an unheard view of their work, and the restrictive guidelines they have to abide by.
Each act describes their skill in turn, detailing the mechanics of every trick whilst performing them live on stage. We imagine what life will be like when they get old, whether they will still practise in their shared care home, or in a retired acrobats’ commune by the sea. Mind-blowing tricks weave into stories of their childhood, complete with projected film clips that give us a peek behind the scenes.
Without a doubt, the three performers dispel any notion that their age affects their skill. Their performances look effortless, and are visually mesmerising. Aerial tricks are a clever use of the space, leading us to take in the grand height of Summerhall’s Main Hall.
Show Pony’s narrative surrounding the pressure on female performers is one that is widely unexplored. Each performer provides a unique perspective on how the threat of their uncontrollable ageing has a huge effect on how they’re publicly perceived.
The contortionist’s sequence is particularly thought-provoking, remarking on how many only view her spread legs as an invitation to muse over her abilities in bed. It is effectively uncomfortable, leading the audience to question their own previous conceptions of circus performers.
Having said that, their core message is intriguing, and the audience is left yearning for a more in-depth look at the toxic culture within the circus industry. This unfortunately prevents us from investing fully into each character which threatens to dilute the substance of their production.
For witnessing unbelievable talent, and three very dynamic performers, Show Pony is a go-to show. It definitely brings the wow-factor.
Show Pony runs till 26th August at Summerhall Main Hall
Words by Issy Cory
