REVIEW: SMASHED by Gandini Juggling at Peacock Theatre 31 May - 1 June 2024

'Juggling has officially been elevated to an art form' ★★★★★ 

If you thought juggling was all about red noses, bubble cars and silly shoes, think again. Gandini who conceived Smashed in 2010 have rewritten the juggling rule book and present their joyous, mesmerising show for two nights only at the Peacock Theatre, their first time in London in seven years. The mature and experienced ensemble have redefined juggling – a skill fairly low down in the circus skills hierarchy - into a genre-defying artform that combines choreographed movement, theatre and ballet with comedy, drama, and social commentary. Besides the exacting technical skill required, Gandini creates a visual spectacle that feels like a modern marvel.

An homage to the gestural and theatrical work of German neo-expressionist dancer and choreographer, Pina Bausch, the ensemble creates something akin to kinetic sculpture. The constant bouncing and bobbing above them is created by the arcs and circles of balls rise and fall. The overall effect suggests the inner workings of a sophisticated timepiece, where one piece works in synchronicity with another, and every individual element creates a wondrous whole. The surprising and enriching music choices span music hall, Bach and Tammy Wynette but the best sound of all was the spontaneous peals of laughter not only the younger members of the audience but the adults too.

Directors Sean Gandini and Kati Yiä-Hokkala have co-created a sequence of performances that reflect various social conventions or rituals such as the complications of courtship, rejection, disruption, and social breakdown. The hypnotic, hour-long show is composed of a series of juggling sketches or perhaps, social experiments, but there is also a narrative arc to the entire piece which builds into a terrific, anarchic climax. Gandini has not only succeeded in expanding the vocabulary of juggling, but also the grammar and diction. Who knew balls in the air could take on the personality and meaning of an exclamation mark or raised eyebrow? Juggling has officially been elevated to an art form.

Photography: Ryoko Uyama

Smashed

Friday 31 May & Saturday 1 June at 7.30pm

Peacock Theatre, LONDON

Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT

Tickets: 020 7863 8222 / www.sadlerswells.com

Running time 60 minutes

Reviewed by Nilgin Yusuf