Borders

Cirkör's anniversary performance pays tribute to the circus pioneers of history while at the same time directing the spotlight on migrants' life-threatening escape across the Mediterranean. The result: Contemporary circus activism. Premiere: 2015.

About Borders

For the 20th anniversary of Cirkus Cirkör's inception, Malmö Opera commissioned a new work to celebrate our history of genre-bending, border-blurring artistry.

Contemporary circus is an art form that moves without borders between continents, nationalities, disciplines and conventions. Circus is a performance art – but it can also be a vehicle to tell real stories and amplify real voices when others choose to ignore them.

In Borders, we chose to spotlight the stories and voices of people in flux, risking their lives to traverse dangerous routes in search of safety. Yes, we will celebrate – but not just Cirkör's 20 years – we will celebrate the endurance, passion and hope of humans. Join us on a spectacular journey, with live music, colourful scenery and riotous risks – and try not to look away.

It's hard to cross borders without causing moments of chaos and disorder ... but something makes us want to do it anyway.

People who risk everything in the search for a better life meet people who have dedicated their entire lives to taking risks and pushing boundaries. In Borders, different kinds of risk-taking meet when circus and migration are woven together.

Reviews

"The political message is clear, and Cirkus Cirkör does not hesitate to expose the powers that be."

SKD

"... a peculiar fireworks-display of strong stage poetry about human vulnerability in search of a better life "

SVD

An embrace full of joy mixed with a couple of fistfuls of indignation and voila, a new genre is born:  contemporary circus activism.

DN

Ensemble & Crew

ON STAGE
Circus artists: Alexander Weibel-Weibel, Esmeralda Nikolajeff, Jan Unestam, Jesper Nikolajeff, Mira Leonard, Peter Åberg, Saara Ahola, Estiven Quinones Gonzalez, Tatiana-Mosia Bongonga.
Actors: Hans-Peter Edh, Jennifer Amaka-Pettersson, Mari Götesdotter, Simon Rodriques Strömberg, Sven Boräng.
Live music/vocals: Maja Långbacka, Samuel Andersson.

CREATIVE TEAM
Concept, story and direction: Tilde Björfors
Composer, musician and sound design: Samuel “LoopTok” Andersson
Singer, musician, choir leader: Maja Långbacka
Choreographer: Olle Strandberg
Set design: Fanny Senocq
Costume design: Jonna Bergelin
Script writer: Kajsa Bohlin
Lighting design: Daniel Kullman
Video scenography/projections: Johannes Ferm Winkler / Per Rydnert / Tom Waldton
Make-up design: Åsa Trulsson
Choreographer support: Ilona Jäntti
Dramatic advisor: Anna Kölén
Researcher: Pinja Lehtonen
Producer – Malmö Stadsteater: Jerker Pyron
Producer – Cirkus Cirkör: Sara de Vylder
Technical producer – Cirkus Cirkör: Stefan Karlström
Assistant director: Maria Wallin
Stage manager: Kattis Blanking

A co-production with Malmö Stadsteater.