This new year, DanceHouse and The Cultch invite audiences to witness a visceral, mesmerizing spectacle by Hungarian cirque dance company Recirquel, running from Jan. 21 to 24 at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Set in the aftermath of a destroyed world, this daring, full-length work by artistic director Bence Vági fuses circus, contemporary dance and physical theatre, using the common language of movement to explore themes of renewal and connection in the face of an uncertain future.

“In this turbulent geopolitical moment, work from Hungary offers a rare window into the resilience and imagination of artists creating amidst complex social and political currents,” says Jim Smith, artistic and executive director of DanceHouse. “Premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, Recirquel’s Paradisum invites us to see beyond headlines and engage with a compelling artistic perspective shaped by its time and place.”

Accompanied by a striking soundscape of strings, electronica and percussion composed by Edina Szirtes, six performers take the stage, embodying the overwhelming effort of existence in a post-apocalyptic world. Elements of stagecraft — a rippling black drape, a ladder, rings, a hoop — transform the stage into a living being, creating otherworldly vistas as the artists engage in breathtaking aerial work and choreography.

Lauded as “physically impressive” and “undoubtedly beautiful” (the Guardian), Paradisum unfolds as a work of physical poetry. The performers balance extraordinary feats of strength and agility with moments of profound stillness and grace, moving through scenes of purification, birth, awakening and ritual as they encounter the natural forces of their newly fallen world.

“We are excited to be partnering with DanceHouse once again to bring another extraordinary show to the Vancouver Playhouse,” say The Cultch’s executive director Heather Redfern and associate executive director Nicole McLuckie. “Recirquel’s Paradisum is a beautiful, mythological work which is epic on a scale that will wow Vancouver audiences.”

In anticipation of this incredible work of dance, DanceHouse and The Cultch are offering Tyee readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Paradisum performance of their choice, running from Jan. 21 to 24. For tickets and further information, visit DanceHouse’s website.

Enter to win below.

About DanceHouse and The Cultch

DanceHouse connects Vancouver audiences and the local arts community to the international world of dance by presenting exceptional companies that are recognized for their excellence, innovation and international reputation. Since 2008, DanceHouse has presented vibrant and inspiring companies from Canada and around the world.

The Cultch, Vancouver’s most diverse and innovative arts and cultural hub, has created meaningful, impactful connections across communities for over 50 years by offering dynamic contemporary programming in theatre, dance, music, circus and visual arts from Vancouver and across the globe.

This article is part of a Tyee Presents initiative. Tyee Presents is the special sponsored content section within The Tyee where we highlight contests, events and other initiatives that are put on either by us or by our select partners. The Tyee does not and cannot vouch for or endorse products advertised on The Tyee. We choose our partners carefully and consciously, to fit with The Tyee’s reputation as B.C.’s Home for News, Culture and Solutions. Learn more about Tyee Presents.

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