Summers in Charleston are not the most likely time to wish for the warmth of the sun to cut through the ice and snow. But that is precisely what the obscure word “apricity” came to mean when Henry Cockeram either recorded or invented it for his 1623 dictionary — and that feeling of all-too-welcome warmth is what the Australian physical theater troupe Casus Creations hopes to replicate when it presents the U.S. premiere of “Apricity” on June 6 at Spoleto Festival USA.
“By creating this contemporary circus piece, we delve into an exploration of profound strength and resilience,” Casus Creations cofounder Lachlan McAulay wrote in the Spoleto program book. “‘Apricity’ emerges as a celebration of resilience, derived from the moments of warmth that pierce through the cold. We are immensely proud of the soul that has brought ‘Apricity’ to life.”
Based in Brisbane, Casus combines acrobatics, aerial skills and emotive storytelling. Its performances have swollen and contracted to include as many as 87 performers and as few as two. (“Apricity” has five, including McAulay and cofounder Jesse Scott. The two also serve as creative directors for this piece.)
The group has won multiple awards and toured more than two dozen countries, where it has earned a reputation for adding an emotional overlay to the typical circus feats. “Casus has heart and soul,” wrote the newspaper The Australian. “It has a theatrical and artistic vision that burns into the memory and shoots for more than just slack-jawed awe.”
That said, slack-jawed awe remains a distinct possibility for Spoleto audiences. While “Apricity” knits together various elements to form a cohesive narrative that highlights the importance of human connections, it also includes gravity-defying, complex aerial maneuvers and other low-tech delights.
The groundbreaking acrobatics and graceful movements of the troupe create a dynamic spectacle in the sense that the symphony of aerial silks and trapeze acts do not just display physical prowess but also showcase the complexities tied to the narrative’s emotional beats.
“Apricity” will give Charleston audiences five opportunities to warm their souls at Festival Hall between June 6 and 9.
Shirin Gupta, an arts journalism and communications graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, is a creative storyteller who writes about some of her views on her blog page popCulture Baazar.
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