Circus Incognitus

Overview

The simple things are the hard bits. Jamie Adkins does some easy looking stuff on stage, but the audience falls around with laughter. It's not that what Adkins does isn't difficult. In fact, the things that he does are usually pretty hard. Using ladders as stilts, popping stage-balls out his mouth, walking the slack rope (like a tight-rope, but not so steady) and contact juggling, Adkins works on staple circus tricks and on the audience's expectations. In Circus Incognitus he plays someone with something to say on the tip of his tongue, the action of the show coming as he tries to take his idea from tip to talking.

Adkins has done Cirque du Soleil and the lesser-known (here) Cirque Éloize, having left his native San Diego for the more circus-friendly Montreal. With his early circus expriences drawn from his street performances, he likes to pull his audience into his act. The Studio's wide design and ample cabaret-style table-seating will no doubt provide him here with scores of easy volunteers. Nonetheless, don't let his forward approach dissuade you. Though child-friendly, his clowning is anything but juvenile.