‘The Invisible Circus produces unique circus
theatre experiences in a wide variety of unusual locations, from circus big
tops and traditional theatres to site specific and promenade performances in
disused industrial and historical buildings.’ The Invisible Circus
As a treat to ourselves for our hard
work and fourth year endurance, we decided to take a trip to the circus. The
Happiness Machine, seemed a promising title because we all deserved a smile on
our faces. Indeed it did make us grin,
but it also made us ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ and gasp and think and reflect. I have been to plenty circuses in my time,
and in my childhood years, the only things that I was left with were sticky
fingers and popcorn leftovers stuck to my jumper. The Happiness Machine provides
much more than just a showcase of bumbling clowns, silly gimmicks and cheap
laughs. It is a symbolic and powerful performance criticizing how we have
become slaves to the commercial world.
The main stage is taken over by a
set of two-storey houses and their brightly lit windows gave us a sneak peek
into the personal lives of the main characters whilst they are not on
stage. The first scene follows the story
of an over-worked office worker as he teeters and staggers along a tight rope
wire whilst trying to reach all of his deadlines. His skill becomes more
visible as more work is piled into his inbox and it all becomes incredibly
stressful. The choreography is a smart way of expressing how our work lives are
at times overwhelming, all encompassing and exasperating.
The next few scenes are focused upon
our consumerist society, sparkly ruby slippers and golden cleaning gloves are
on all of the girl’s wish lists. Beautiful models take to the main stage,
mincing around, lifting off into the heights of the tent on aerial hula hoops
and show off the products in all of their glory. But the poor old house wife is devastatingly
let down after hoping and dreaming that the products will transform her into a
new version of herself.
In the final scene the couch-potato
character finally appears on his favorite TV game show and the stage turns into
a golden and glittery roller disco. His life is completed; he has won a chance
to go through the ‘magic door’. The message ultimately comes down to the fact
that we live in a sad world in which we dedicate much of our lives to
television. We specifically put off social events because we have to be at home
at 9pm to watch the next episode of our favorite soap.
It is quite a dismal reality, we can
all relate to the scenes in some kind of way and I respect the Invisible
circus’ attempt to provide a critical outlook on society. It is a smart
technique to title the circus, The
Happiness Machine because we really are happy. We are watching silly and
entertaining stunts and tricks, our mouths wide open in amazement or in
hysteria. The production copies the way in which television switches our minds
off and subliminally forces us into zombie mode. The final irony is that even though we are
laughing, the happiness machine converts and transforms itself throughout the
performance into the commercial marketing machine without us even realizing.
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