Contemporary circus at the Black-E

There won't be a clown car or dancing elephant in sight when this circus comes to town. Australia’s new contemporary circus company Casus arrive in Liverpool with their premiere work Knee Deep this November, following a successful stint at the Edinburgh Fringe. As well as their acclaimed performances of jaw-dropping physicality (see the trailer below), they will also be running workshops for children and young people interested in expanding their own gymnastic skills. And despite swapping the Antipodean summer for stormy British winter, it is a homecoming for performer and company manager Emma Serjeant, who grew up in the city. Now based in Brisbane, Emma said: "I am completely thrilled to be able to present Knee Deep in my native town of Liverpool. When I was growing up in the 80’s, Liverpool was a rough and ready type of place and I know it has changed a lot! To be able to perform and engage with the youth of Liverpool is an honour and a dream of mine." In Knee Deep, they say, "unlikely bonds are forged and acts of intimacy co-habit space with thrilling physical feats, as the audience is invited to re-imagine notions of limitation. Throughout this journey, the artists demonstrate that delicacy does not necessarily equate to fragility, although it is often a fine line to tread." Casus will perform Knee Deep in The Black-E main performance space on November 7 and 8. The free circus skills workshops are open to young people aged 7 to 14, and take place from November 4 to 6. Those interested in the workshops should have an interest in acro-balance and circus skills or be already involved in gymnastics and can register at The Black-E in advance.