Circus Baobab brings spectacular African dance and acrobatics to Abu Dhabi for Yé! - a show with an environmental message
8 May 2025 00:21
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Circus Baobab is unlike any circus you've ever seen.It is an exhibition of dance and the unimaginable acrobatic feats the human body is capable of, pushing the boundaries of kinesiology with its gravity-defying stunts and mind-boggling bodily contortions.And it's all on display in Abu Dhabi - for the first time - at the Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, on Saadiyat Island, on May 9-10.The production Yé! is a captivating fusion of contemporary performance and age-old African ritual dances, in which the troupe of 13 acrobats perform hand-to-hand lifts, symbolic pyramids, and animal-inspired choreographed movement while integrating traditional drumming and masked dances.This unique form of art carries a profound dialogue with the past, incorporating history, heritage and modern expressions to create a new and evolving poetry of movement.Yé! uses the African circus to highlight pressing environmental concerns, calling for collective action to preserve the world for future generations.The project began in 2021 when Damien Droin and Yann Ecauvre worked with Bakala Camara of Circus Baobab in Conakry, Guinea.Their creative exchanges led to a performance that explores water, environmental change and human responsibility in a modern world.The result is an evocative stage piece blending ancient traditions with contemporary environmental themes.Through acrobatics and dance, Yé! invites the audience on a journey exploring environmental challenges and reflecting on a changing world.The performers bring to life the environmental crises we face, questioning reality and our place in the changing world.As acrobats and dancers are lifted high, they represent humanity's defiance against nature's forces, portraying resilience and unity in the face of overwhelming odds.The performers' acrobatic feats represent humanity's defiance against nature's forces, symbolising resilience and unity. They are lifted and flung across the stage, reaching heights of over 20 feet.
Prepare to be amazed.
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