In a cultural moment defined by uncertainty, live performance offers something increasingly rare: a shared, human experience that transcends language, borders, and headlines. This January, Vancouver audiences are invited to gather in support of the arts for an extraordinary event as DanceHouse and The Cultch present the North American premiere of Recirquel’s Paradisum at the Vancouver Playhouse, running January 21 to 24.
This presentation is more than a performance. It is an invitation to witness how international artists interpret the world as it is now, and how imagination, movement, and discipline can shape meaning from instability.
An Otherworldly Vision Shaped by Movement
Created by the Budapest-based cirque dance company Recirquel, Paradisum is a full-length work that fuses contemporary dance, circus arts, and physical theatre into a singular, immersive vision. Directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Bence Vági, the production unfolds in the aftermath of a destroyed world, where six performers navigate the fragile terrain between collapse and renewal.
Using the shared language of movement, the performers express themes of survival, connection, and rebirth without relying on words. Strength, vulnerability, and trust are embedded in every gesture, allowing the audience to feel the emotional weight of the journey rather than simply observe it.
Art as a Response to a Complex World
“In this turbulent geopolitical moment, work from Hungary offers a rare window into the resilience and imagination of artists creating amidst complex social and political currents,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “Premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, Recirquel’s Paradisum invites us to see beyond headlines and engage with a compelling artistic perspective shaped by its time and place.”
That perspective is felt deeply throughout the work, reminding audiences that art remains one of the most powerful tools for empathy and understanding.
A Living Stage and a Striking Soundscape
The stage itself becomes a living presence. A rippling black drape, a ladder, rings, and a hoop continuously shift and transform, evoking landscapes that feel both elemental and unfamiliar. These elements, combined with breathtaking aerial work, create a sense of constant motion and evolution.
The performance is underscored by a compelling soundscape of strings, electronica, and percussion composed by Edina Szirtes. Together, sound and movement amplify the physical demands placed on the performers, embodying the overwhelming effort of existence in a post-apocalyptic world while preserving moments of stillness, ritual, and grace.
Myth, Ritual, and Physical Poetry
Lauded as “physically impressive [and] undoubtedly beautiful,” Paradisum unfolds as a work of physical poetry. Scenes of purification, birth, awakening, and communal ritual emerge organically, offering a vision of humanity that persists even after devastation.
“We are excited to be partnering with DanceHouse once again to bring another extraordinary show to the Vancouver Playhouse,” say Heather Redfern, Executive Director of The Cultch, and Nicole McLuckie, Associate Executive Director. “Recirquel’s Paradisum is a beautiful, mythological work which is epic on a scale that will wow Vancouver audiences.”
Why Supporting Performances Like Paradisum Matters
Supporting works like Paradisum is a meaningful way to affirm the value of cultural exchange and artistic risk. Following its Vancouver debut, the production will continue touring across Canada, with performances in Québec City, Montréal, and Toronto, extending its impact well beyond one stage.
Paradisum contains strobe lighting and is recommended for patrons aged 12 and older. Tickets and additional information are available at dancehouse.ca. By attending, audiences actively contribute to sustaining the arts and welcoming bold, international voices into Vancouver’s cultural landscape.
Ticket Information
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Dates: January 21 to 24
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Venue: Vancouver Playhouse
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Presented by: DanceHouse in partnership with The Cultch
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Production: Recirquel’s Paradisum
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Recommended Age: 12 and older
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Content Advisory: Strobe lighting is used during the performance
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Tickets available at dancehouse.ca
All photography by Bálint Hirling.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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