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absolut fringe

In pics: What goes into making an aerial circus show?

A troupe performing at ABSOLUT Fringe in Dublin next month have given TheJournal.ie a behind-the-scenes peek at the work that goes into hitting the heights (but not the ceiling).
9.15am, 25 Aug 2012
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HOW DO THEY do it? That might be a question you’ll ask yourself if you make it to one of the performances of Ether Productions’ aerial circus show as part of the ABSOLUT Fringe in Dublin next month.

The three-strong troupe will transform the first-floor space in Filmbase, Temple Bar with an intimate and spectacular show called Mirror Mirror. The following slideshow – in their own words – shows the preparation, hard work and unusual considerations (like headspace, naturally) that goes into creating an aerial circus show.

Ether Productions are having a fundraising night – The Underground Carnival – at the Twisted Pepper on Middle Abbey Street on 1 September: click this Facebook event page for more information. For more on the troupe and their show, you can visit their own website here.

The ABSOLUT Fringe website is here for ticket bookings – and details on all the other shows running as part of the fest from 8-23 September.

In pics: What goes into making an aerial circus show?
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  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Three’s a family in Ether Productions’ aerial circus ABSOLUT Fringe show Mirror, Mirror in Filmbase, Temple Bar this September. From the top, clockwise: Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, Niamh Creely and Jonathan Walsh. Image: Aaron Fowler.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Ether formed in January of this year and enjoyed a very successful debut at the Drogheda Arts Festival with Mirror, Mirror. The show featured spectacular lighting by Donal ‘Chief’ O’Luanaigh and the Ether Crew’s fourth member, Arlene Caffrey. Chief will working his magic again for our ABSOLUT Fringe show. Image: Daryl Feehely.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Ether uses silks, aerial hoop and pole in a playful and inventive mix. And we also stack people. Image: Daryl Feehely.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Niamh does her best ship figurehead impersonation in our regular training space. Finding a suitable place to train for aerial is never easy, especially in Dublin. Ether currently does the bulk of their training in Carrick-On-Shannon. Image: Ether crew/Jonathan Walsh.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Sculpting with the silks – silks are an endlessly inspiring piece of equipment that can be a cradle, a shroud, a screen for projection – or, you know, a bed when you need some zzzz… Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Jonathan gets wrapped up in his performance whilst training in our venue. The unusual, two-story space on the first floor of Filmbase in DUblin has been crying out for an aerial invasion and Ether are thrilled to be performing there. Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    She may be a mere slip of a girl but Ether’s Ash is an aerial machine. Here she is ‘flying’ Jonathan on the silks. Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    We were thrilled with the atmospheric shots photographer Aaron Fowler (far left) managed to capture during a late-night shoot. This is where the magic happened, in a farmyard shed, with a forklift holding up the red drapes.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    And now, after all the training, set-up, costume and make up, this is where it gets fun! Aisling is loving it in our promotional shot for our show fundraiser on 1 September. It’s the Ether Underground Carnival! Pic: Aaron Fowler.

  • The making of Mirror, Mirror

    Our poster image, taken by Aaron Fowler. Mirror, Mirror takes a mesmerising look at a family as they each reflect the other in the shadows, echoes and glitter of the dark mirror. For 11 performances only, Ether will transform the first floor space in Filmbase, Temple Bar with an intimate and spectacular aerial circus experience.
  • Three’s a family in Ether Productions’ aerial circus ABSOLUT Fringe show Mirror, Mirror in Filmbase, Temple Bar this September. From the top, clockwise: Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, Niamh Creely and Jonathan Walsh. Image: Aaron Fowler.
  • Ether formed in January of this year and enjoyed a very successful debut at the Drogheda Arts Festival with Mirror, Mirror. The show featured spectacular lighting by Donal ‘Chief’ O’Luanaigh and the Ether Crew’s fourth member, Arlene Caffrey. Chief will working his magic again for our ABSOLUT Fringe show. Image: Daryl Feehely.
  • Ether uses silks, aerial hoop and pole in a playful and inventive mix. And we also stack people. Image: Daryl Feehely.
  • Niamh does her best ship figurehead impersonation in our regular training space. Finding a suitable place to train for aerial is never easy, especially in Dublin. Ether currently does the bulk of their training in Carrick-On-Shannon. Image: Ether crew/Jonathan Walsh.
  • Sculpting with the silks – silks are an endlessly inspiring piece of equipment that can be a cradle, a shroud, a screen for projection – or, you know, a bed when you need some zzzz… Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.
  • Jonathan gets wrapped up in his performance whilst training in our venue. The unusual, two-story space on the first floor of Filmbase in DUblin has been crying out for an aerial invasion and Ether are thrilled to be performing there. Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.
  • She may be a mere slip of a girl but Ether’s Ash is an aerial machine. Here she is ‘flying’ Jonathan on the silks. Image: Ether crew/Niamh Creely.
  • We were thrilled with the atmospheric shots photographer Aaron Fowler (far left) managed to capture during a late-night shoot. This is where the magic happened, in a farmyard shed, with a forklift holding up the red drapes.
  • And now, after all the training, set-up, costume and make up, this is where it gets fun! Aisling is loving it in our promotional shot for our show fundraiser on 1 September. It’s the Ether Underground Carnival! Pic: Aaron Fowler.
  • Our poster image, taken by Aaron Fowler. Mirror, Mirror takes a mesmerising look at a family as they each reflect the other in the shadows, echoes and glitter of the dark mirror. For 11 performances only, Ether will transform the first floor space in Filmbase, Temple Bar with an intimate and spectacular aerial circus experience.

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Author
Susan Daly
susandaly@thejournal.ie
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