American company The Ricochet Project arrives in Manchester after a blistering season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where their unique style of contemporary circus received critical acclaim – and a Total Theatre Award. Combining jaw-dropping virtuosity with an intimate acrobatic performance, Ricochet create experiences that have played to sold-out houses and standing ovations from Hollywood to Mumbai.
The high-flying cast of Smoke and Mirrors literally strip away their suits of capitalism. Beautiful and uncompromising, Ricochet’s nearly naked approach to poetic acrobatics reveals the inner workings of humans and how we tie ourselves up in knots in the pursuit of happiness.
“A terrific piece of modern circus, full of daring and skilled acrobatics that literally drew gasps from the first-night audience… This show challenges the audience as much as the performers challenge themselves physically, it certainly repays their full engagement.” – Manchester Theatre Awards
“Wholly thrilling and innovative… An absolute must-see for anyone who wants to be in awe of two outstanding performers who enact the most incredible and jaw-dropping manoeuvres with grace and seeming ease.” – North West End
★★★★ “They are masters of their art… It’s easy to see how Smoke and Mirrors was such a hit at the Edinburgh Festival and judging from the resounding applause, it was a hit at HOME, too.” – Remote Goat
“Mainly I sit slackjawed and in awe through Smoke and Mirrors... Incredible.” – Cultural Shenanigans
★★★★★ “Slow-burning and quietly astounding.” – The Times
★★★★★ “A trapeze, two chairs and a rope is all that adorns the stage in Ricochet Project’s stunning two-hander. Yet that’s all they need to draw us in to this meaningful hour of incredible skill and emotional resonance.” WOW247
★★★★★ “This is contemporary circus at its most richly expressive: a metaphor for the effects of an exploitative economy on our lives and our loves.” – Fest magazine
★★★★ “Brutal and uncompromising… Beautiful and blasted. Completely mesmerising.” – The Guardian