CircusFest 2014: Expectation at the Roundhouse

A two-hander from duo Maddie McGowan (an aerialist) and Talia Randall (a writer), Expectation is about as immersive as circus gets without scaling the ropes yourself. In the self-styled Expectation Airlines flight, all passengers are seated in the cabin and advised to switch all mobile phones to aeroplane mode.

Directed by the consistently re-inventive Silvia Mercuriali, this is a showcase of collaboration and new practice. McGowan is versatile and innovative, with Randall distinctive in her conception of the piece.

A combination of acrobatics and spoken word, in only 20 minutes Expectation examines a woman’s journey through childhood, teenage years and into adulthood, depicting the challenges and expectations of femininity. This is a celebration and a judgement, one that forces the audience to consider – a surreal look at The Perfect Woman.

Hats drop down from above in the style of in-flight oxygen masks, where audience members are invited to don the headwear when requested, each representing the “hats” we put on at various times in our lives before finally figuring out which one to stick with.

A slick performance is slowed only by occasional conceptual confusion in this brief flight through what it means to be a woman.

Georgia Snow
Photo: Ben Hopper

Expectation is on at the Roundhouse until 16^th April 2014, for further information or to book visit here.

Read more reviews from Circusfest 2014 here. For further information about the festival visit here.