Events

Things are not what they seem

RECOMMENDED for families and those seeking unforgettable experiences

"An unforgettable show" Le Figaro / "Incredibly good" The Stage / "It was astonishing" Sceneweb / "Mysterious magic shrouded in dexterity" Libération / "Whether you are fascinated by magic, dance, juggling, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, Heka has it all!" A Young(ish) Perspective / "An enchanting hour flies by in an instant, astonishing with sleight of hand, visual deception, and the discovery of magic." British Theatre Guide

A conjurer is not a juggler; he is an actor playing the part of a magician, an artist whose fingers require dexterity rather than speed. Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Secrets of Conjuring and Magic, 1868.

Juggling and magic are like long-lost sisters. So similar, yet so different. Inspired by their complex relationship, Heka (the Egyptian goddess of magic!) transports viewers to an enchanting kingdom where reality merges with illusion. Heka crosses boundaries, inviting viewers on a journey where objects materialize and disappear, levitate and transform before their eyes. But beneath the surface lies a tantalizing question: what is real and what is just a trick of perception? Infused with a charming blend of humor and philosophy, Heka marks a new beginning in Gandini's renowned repertoire. Director Sean Gandini, whose artistic journey began half a century ago in Havana, recreates his magical roots in this hybrid performance. It is a tribute to the pleasures of the absurd.

Founded in 1992 by world-renowned jugglers Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala, Gandini Juggling continues to be a leader in contemporary circus, reinventing and revitalizing juggling in the 21st century. Gandini Juggling celebrates juggling in all its aspects, exploring not only what juggling is, but what it can be. Today, it is an ever-evolving ensemble of virtuoso jugglers. They are incredibly prolific. Since its inception, Gandini Juggling has performed more than 6,000 shows at many of the most prestigious festivals and venues around the world (in over 50 countries): from contemporary art museums in France to opera houses in Germany, from theaters in Lebanon to tents in Argentina.
In addition to collaborating with renowned orchestras, composers, fashion designers, mathematicians, and others, they created the choreography for Philip Glass's Olivier Award-winning opera Akhnaten and dedicated critically acclaimed performances to Pina Bausch and Merce Cunningham.
In addition to performing, Gandini Juggling is one of the leading circus schools: it conducts seminars and virtual classes, publishes books, and supports the younger generation of circus artists. Gandini Juggling has an insatiable thirst for juggling and a passionate desire to collaborate, communicate, and provoke. They seek to establish juggling as a universal and engaging art form of our time. https://www.gandinijuggling.com/

Directors: Sean Gandini & Kati Ylä-Hokkala
Consultants: Yann Frisch, Kalle Nio
Performers: Kate Boschetti, Sean Gandini, Tedros Girmaye, Kim Huynh, Sakari Männistö, Yu-Hsien Wu, Kati Ylä-Hokkala with Doreen Grossman and Jose Triguero in alternance
Costumes: Georgina Spencer
Lighting design: Guy Hoare
Music: Andy Cowton
Co-production: Maison des Jonglages, Scène Conventionée (FR), Théâtre d’Orléans / Scène nationale (FR)
Residencies: La Batoude, Beauvais (FR), La Garance, Cavaillon (FR), The Place, London (UK), The Point, Eastleigh (UK), 101 Outdoor Arts – National Centre for Arts in Public Space (UK)
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1039049718
Photos: Kalle Nio, Camilla Greenwell
Duration: 60 min.
Age rating: 8+

***ENG***

Circus performance "HEKA" / Gandini Juggling (United Kingdom)
Everything is not as it seems

RECOMMENDED for families and those seeking unforgettable experiences

“The strange steals the show with irresistible allure!” Le Figaro / “They are confoundingly good” The Stage / “It was astonishing” Sceneweb / “Magic envelops pure dexterity with mysterious whimsy.” Libération / “Whether you’re drawn to magic, dance, juggling, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, Heka will deliver on all fronts!” A Young(ish) Perspective / “An entertaining and mesmerising hour passes in a flash of trompe l’oeil, sleight of hand, distractions and revelations” British Theatre Guide
A conjurer is not a juggler; he is an actor playing the part of a magician; an artist whose fingers have more need to move with deftness than with speed. Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Secrets of Conjuring and Magic, 1868
Juggling and Magic are like long lost sisters. So similar and yet so different. Drawing inspiration from the intricate connection between the two, Heka (the Egyptian goddess of magic!) transports audiences into a mesmerising realm where reality blurs with illusion. Heka transcends boundaries, inviting spectators on a journey where objects materialise and vanish, levitate, and transform before their eyes. Yet, beneath the surface lies a tantalising question: what is real and what is merely a trick of perception? Infused with a captivating blend of humour and philosophy, Heka marks a departure for Gandini's renowned repertoire. Director Sean Gandini, whose artistic journey began in Havana half a century ago, revisits his magical roots in this hybrid performance. Above it all, it is a celebration of the silliness and absurdity of entertainment, a homage to the delights of the absurd.
Formed in 1992 by world-renowned jugglers Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala, Gandini Juggling continues to be at the vanguard of contemporary circus, reinventing and reinvigorating juggling for the 21st Century. Gandini Juggling celebrates juggling in all its facets, exploring not just what juggling is, but what juggling can be. Currently an ever-evolving ensemble made up of a virtuosic core group of jugglers. Ferociously prolific, they are constantly creating new works. Since their inception, the Gandinis have performed over 6,000 shows in 50 countries. They continue to perform at many of the most prestigious festivals and venues throughout the world. Despite collaboration with renowned orchestras, composers, fashion designers, and mathematicians, they also choreographed the Olivier Award-winning Philip Glass Opera Akhnaten, and made critically acclaimed tributes to Pina Bausch and Merce Cunningham.
In addition to performing, Gandini Juggling is in high demand at leading circus schools and supports the next generation of circus artists. Gandini also publishes books. They aim to reposition juggling as a versatile, engaging, and malleable art form for our times. https://www.gandinijuggling.com/

Directors: Sean Gandini & Kati Ylä-Hokkala,
Magic consultants: Yann Frisch, Kalle Nio
Performers: Kate Boschetti, Sean Gandini, Tedros Girmaye, Kim Huynh, Sakari Männistö, Yu-Hsien Wu, Kati Ylä-Hokkala with Doreen Grossman and Jose Triguero in alternance
Costumes: Georgina Spencer
Lighting design: Guy Hoare
Soundtrack: Andy Cowton
Coproduction: Maison des Jonglages, Scène Conventionée (FR), Théâtre d’Orléans / Scène nationale (FR)
Residencies: La Batoude, Beauvais (FR), La Garance, Cavaillon (FR), The Place, London (UK), The Point, Eastleigh (UK), 101 Outdoor Arts – National Centre for Arts in Public Space (UK)
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1039049718
Photo: Kalle Nio, Camilla Greenwell
Duration: 60 min.
For children from 8 years