The show is performed by five fresh, young graduates of École nationale de cirque; Héloïse Bourgeois, Brad Henderson, Will Underwood and brothers Francisco and Raphaël Cruz. These artists seem to have a limitless supply of energy; the performances are explosive, fast-paced and action-packed. The 90-minute show seems to zoom by in an instant.
Traces has a darker tone and a faster pace than Loft did. Whereas Loft had more existential overtones Traces is more Fatalistic. The theme is some sort of impending catastrophe and the set is a kind of make-shift fall-out shelter that the artists have constructed. There's a countdown/ticking clock motif throughout the show that really gives the show a sense of urgency and sets an ominous tone. The artists are basically racing against time to create something by which they can be remembered, to leave their "traces" on the world.
Though the backdrop is sort of bleak it really serves to contrast the actual performances in the show which have an energetic, youthful, rebellious and often whimsical quality to them. Though the performers are young (all in their early 20s) they are extremely talented and multi-disciplinary. Their style is really fresh and hip, even compared to 7 doigts' first show.
The soundtrack is mostly progressive rock and hip hop with some old school jazz and classical piano (performed by the artists themselves since four of them are classically trained pianists as well). The choreography is contemporary and urban. The two standout acts in the show are ancient Chinese circus disciplines, Chinese Poles and Hoop Diving, but the presentation in Traces is so fresh and creative it's like watching these acts for the first time. I loved the Chinese poles number performed to a Radiohead song and the gorgeous and graceful Roue Cyr solo performed to a hip hop song.
The choreography is inventive and often stunning. There's an amazing group dance and manipulation number using a basketball and another sequence where the artists use skateboards to produce a whimsical old-school Hollywood musical number that would make Fred Astaire proud. The show also had moments of beauty, showcasing the depth and range of these young artists performance abilities. There are two gorgeous hand to hand numbers (one by a Will and a Héloïse the other by the Cruz brothers) and a stunning solo aerial strap number performed by Héloïse.
The 7 fingers' style is omni-present in the show but Traces also creates it's own signature style; it doesn't have the same distinctly sexual undertones that Loft did but really emphasizes youthful energy and it's absolutely exhilarating to watch. Every time I come out of a 7 doigts show I can't help but think how the sheer creativity, inventiveness and resourcefulness of this small troupe makes Cirque du Soleil look stale and old in comparison.
The show is still new (less than a year old) so it's still a little bit rough in some places but I loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
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