BEYOND is a vibrant and energetic yet poetic circus and dance performance that tests, challenges, and ultimately transcends boundaries. Choreographed by Piet Van Dycke, BEYOND features six professional performers, each an expert in a different discipline – ladder walking, acrodance, acrobike, partner acrobatics and pole dancing. On stage, they become boundless bridge builders.

Using ladders of varying sizes and heights, the performers construct impressive structures, such as arch sculptures and rotating cranes. They balance the ladders to create a thrilling, unstable playing field. They explore unknown territories, climb, float and engage in a daring choreography. Every inch and every second counts. They push the boundaries and discover how far they can push each other. Physical dependence has never been this exciting.

BEYOND explores the fragility, absurdity, and the strength of boundaries, showing how we can expand them through collaboration. Together, we dance on the collective ladders of human imagination.

© Jonas Vermeulen
© Jonas Vermeulen
© Jonas Vermeulen

CREDITS Concept, choreography: Piet Van Dycke
Performers (6): Helena Berger, Aurora Mesropyan, Josse Roger,
Daniele Ippolito, Marylou Aupic, Georgia Begbie, Patryk Klos, Lunis Katholnigg / Luise Hoffmann
Music: Bastian Benjamin
Dramaturgy: Marie Peeters
Installation: Arjan Kruidhof
Costumes: Oona Mampuys
Lightdesign: Raf Wouters, Casper Van Overschee
Technique: Casper Van Overschee
Executive producer: Sam Cunningham
Production: Circumstances vzw
Co-production: Festival Boulevard, CIRC’UIT, Circuswerkplaats Dommelhof, PERPLX, Perpodium, Miramiro, Cirklabo, Stad Leuven, fABULEUS
Special thanks to: Destelheide, HET LAB, C-mine, CC MUZE, CC Casino, cultuurcentrum De Adelberg, CCMaasmechelen, CC de VELINX
Supported by: The Flemish Government

BEYOND (2025) is a sustainable production. By reusing the set design from Beyond the Edge (2024) – a youth production by Piet Van Dycke for fABULEUS – we give this material a new life in BEYOND: new creation with a different theme, new construction techniques and professional performers.

Quotes and links to reviews ‘BEYOND’ (Circumstances)

Later, straight ladders are added, with which the performers form a hexagonal prism and climb it, purely by balancing each other. It’s a beautiful seren moment, just before building towards a spectacular climax. […] With BEYOND, Circumstances has once again crafted a broad audience hit. (★★★★ – Filip Tielens, De Standaard)
https://www.standaard.be/media-en-cultuur/luchtballet-en-zoevende-ladders-belgische-acrobatie-op-grote-hoogte-op-oerol-festival/73204948.html


What makes BEYOND so beautiful, besides its thoughtful dramaturgical structure and the impressive acrobatic work, is the interplay between the performers themselves and their caring attention towards the audience. In BEYOND they explore all – truly all –  possibilities of their objects, their bodies and with that also of my imagination.
(Evelyne Coussens, e-tcetera)
https://e-tcetera.be/beyond-circumstances/

Seemingly, they perform the acrobatic, swirling moves effortlessly. Together they build a sculpture of bodies, throwing themselves from great ladder heights into each other’s arms, and make the audience dizzy for a moment by swinging above their heads. The interaction with the spectators is pleasant; they look at us as if to say “everything will be all right.
(Kester Freriks, Theaterkrant)
 https://www.theaterkrant.nl/recensie/beyond/circumstances/

“It is a highly energetic piece, in which the acrobatic elements become increasingly complex thanks to the exploration of new ways of interaction between the performers on the structure. To go further (Beyond), the group’s collaboration is essential” (★★★★ – Jordi Bordes, Recomana ES)
https://www.recomana.cat/obra/beyond-circumstances/critica/escales-en-bucle/


When you build bridges, you find the other and achieve goals you wouldn’t have thought possible.
(Joost Goutziers, Brabant Cultureel)
https://www.brabantcultureel.nl/2025/06/19/sterke-voorstelling-van-piet-van-dycke-op-oerol-over-samenwerking-en-vertrouwen/

The proud sense of relief after pulling off a stunt is just as much a part of the performance as the thrill of the daredevilry itself.
(Rosalie Fleuren, Trouw)
https://www.trouw.nl/cs-b1841ded/