Liquorice and Lemons (grades 1–6)
30.12.2019.
“Liquorice and Lemons” – a circus performance for children by Duo Homeles Moreles
Performance “Liquorice and Lemons” is a moving and, at times, rambunctious tale of friendship, joy, sorrow and daily life, which demonstrates that within all the seriousness that life brings there hides some happiness and playfulness. When the boy is in a good and friendly mood, the girl is not. And vice versa. But there are moments when mutual understanding is possible – just like somersaults are possible, and singing, while standing on someone’s shoulders, and the ability to swiftly catch a falling flower pot. The circus is a joyous miracle, so why should life and relationships be any different?
The performance has been created in the framework of the initiative “Latvijas skolas soma/Latvian School Bag”, and it is intended for preschool and primary school aged children.
Life is full of little moments – sorrows, joys, jokes, disappointments, tears, laughter and so much more that we cannot put a finger on. The performance follows a couple through these moments of connection and loss of it between each other. Even after a sour nosh of lemons or a bitter bite of liquorice, the taste in your mouth stays oh so sweet.
Grete Gross believes that if a person is given the chance to be on stage and speak up, then this opportunity must be used wisely. And she wants to speak about things that matter, going beyond entertainment. She sought inspiration for the performance “Liquorice and Lemons” in her own experience, pondering how to grow up without losing enthusiasm for life even when faced with challenges or when a companion has become annoying and exhausting.
Air acrobatics has been Grete’s passion since she was a child; she has studied for 9 years at Circus Studio Folie in Tallinn; in 2015 Grete graduated from SaSak Circus School in Finland, where she majored in air acrobatics.
Since then the artist has worked with several international circus companies in Estonia and Finland (Big Wolf Company, Mago, Stunt Theatre Kajakas), and has also become a recognised a solo artist.
Juha-Matti Eskelinen is a circus artist from Finland. He has graduated from SaSak Circus School in Finland, specialising in floor acrobatics and the Chinese pole. Before enrolling at SaSak, Juha did parkour and competitive dancing. Juha-Matti has worked with several international circus companies (Cirque de Puces, Schüü), and also as a solo artist.
If you would like to book “Liquorice and Lemons” for your festival or venue, please contact Riga Circus: cirks@cirks.lv
Authors and performers: Duo Homeles Moreles (Grete Gross (Estonia) and Juha-Matti Eskelinen (Finland)); consulting choreographer: Agnese Vanaga (Latvia)
Producers: Riga Circus, Contemporary Circus and Street Art Festival “Re Riga!”
Duration: 30 minutes
Recommended age: 4–13
Premiere: September 2017, Riga, in collaboration with Festival Re Riga and Riga Cirks.
Read more:
Photos from “Liquorice and Lemons” and talks about circus (2018)