After the events of this week, every non-White or non-Christian person I know has felt an unease that topped most of what we already experienced for the last two years. For that matter, most of the Christian Whites of my acquaintance share the revulsion. It’s been a hard week living in a country where everything signals movement in a direction that is the stuff of nightmares.

I decided, then, that we all need a little break and distract ourselves with silliness, before we go back to brainstorming how to bring about a movement that is strong enough to counter the forces of money, power, racism, misogyny and xenophobia.

Thus you will see photographs today of a circus performance that was nothing but a romp. Some 8 friends decided to capitalize on their arsenal of tricks and acrobatics, with a singer tangentially leading through the show. It did not provide deeper meaning, or a social justice message, or some educational background, or floated on beauty – it was just an exuberant flouting of various muscles, postures, contortions, bodies and collective silliness that was infectious.

Clouds of confetti, over the top lighting, stunts that reminded of action movies, live music and active engagement of audience members made me think more of Mardi Gras than anything else. The audience was up and standing, clapping and shouting with enthusiasm, providing evidence for the fact how much pure escapism is occasionally needed to counter the heaviness in hearts and heads.

Finale was put on by Analog, a young German company; the show was offered in Prague in cooperation with the Czech circus rebels of Cirk La Putyka, at the Chamäleon stage in Berlin, and in Australia, before making its way to Montreal.

One of the running gags throughout the evening was one acrobat’s love and emulation of all things Jean-Claude Van Damme (the Belgian martial arts film actor.)

Another highlight were generous helpings of shots of vodka, handed out to the audience…..

The singer in the show I saw was Iman Pearl Williams, accompanied by live drumming.

The original composer of the music was Ena Wild, who is part of the Analog troupe. Here she is in a studio gig in Berlin.

Let’s rest up. Then: onwards.