GLORIOUS BODIES is a physical, moving, and hopeful circus and dance performance about the capacity of our bodies, about seeing and being seen, about the border between classical and contemporary circus with six acrobats between 57 and 69 years old, each with a past in the (more) classical circus. Circus history archived in the body.

Aging remains a taboo in our society and certainly in the circus world. Similar to top athletes, most acrobats stop their intensive training regimen after a certain age.
How do the most perfect bodies transform? As a human being, can you ever make peace with your own body? Can you be completely in harmony?

© Jonas Vermeulen
© Jonas Vermeulen


GLORIOUS BODIES shines a light on the process of aging in a unique way.
A process that happens to all of us. Something that is, in fact, happening right now, at this very moment.  The roots of the performance can be found in partner acrobatics and movement. GLORIOUS BODIES dismantles the clichés about the older generation. 

An impressive, charming, and humorous performance that shows us what the human body is actually capable of. A capacity that is clearly timeless and ageless. 

Following the successful première of GLORIOUS BODIES in October 2023, Circumstances has additionaly been presenting a dynamic outdoor version (30 minutes) since last summer. Due to enthusiastic responses, various European requests, and at the explicit request of the performers themselves, the short version will tour again in the summer of 2026.

This outdoor version focuses on the body: no curtains to hide behind, pure and authentic.

Credits
Concept, choreography: Piet Van Dycke
Performers: Winfried Deuling , Astrid Schöne, Det Rijven, Thorsten Bohle, Paul Griffoen en Johannes Fischer
Music: Kris Auwers
Installation: Arjan Kruidhof
Dramaturgy: Marie Peeters
Technique: Casper Van Overschee
Production management: Sam Cunningham
Production: Circumstances
Coproduction: PLAN, Festival Circolo, DansBrabant, Cirklabo, Circuswerkplaats Dommelhof, PERPLX, Perpodium
With the support of: De Vlaamse overheid, Grensverleggers/deBuren
Special thanks to: Miramiro, Destelheide and Wybren Wouda