Umeå-based circus company Kaaos Kaamos, led by Erik Glas, has recently premiered "It's warmer under the snow" in Belgium. The stage show is inspired by the Nordic winter night and is based on a project that explores the interaction between acrobatic performers and the audience. The hope is to play in Umeå in the spring and then tour Europe.
- It has gone very well but the weeks before were tough, says a relieved Erik Glas.
There was a lot of excitement before the premiere. Erik says that the company had suffered from injuries during the autumn and that the church where they played was so big that it was difficult to heat up. This made practice and rehearsal difficult as many extra layers of clothing were required. But everything has gone beyond expectations.
How were the opening night nerves?
- For myself, I was probably most nervous the weeks in Umeå before I left. I've invested so much of myself in the project over the past few years. But once I was there, I was able to focus on the job and my role. There's no room for nerves then.
You played in Belgium. How did you end up there?
- Yes, we were in an old church in Leuven that is now used as an auditorium by the city's cultural centre. For various reasons, the premiere had to take place late in 2022. We looked all over Europe for a good venue and finally our schedule matched with 30CC and Cirklabo in Belgium who invited us to the church.
What happens now? Will you play in more places?
- Now I'm trying to land softly in the Christmas holidays. A number of bookers were present at the premiere but our producer Sophia is handling that contact. The hope is to play in Umeå in the spring but we haven't set a date yet. From how our last show went, I'm expecting a few shows in Europe next year and then more momentum in 2024.
Kaaos Kaamos
A multicultural new circus with performances and academic activities.
The Kaaos Kaamos Circus Company was founded by Erik Glas, born in Umeå, and his four colleagues from Sweden, Finland, Germany and France. Together they perform worldwide and train tomorrow's new circus artists in the Kaaos Kaamos Academy.
Erik Glas and Kaaos Kaamos are one of the 16 companies participating in the Creatives incubator programme, which starts on 8 February 2023.
PHOTO: Tom Herbots
