Us
A portrait of two unique Homo Sapiens Idioticus. Partners in crime who together found everything you can do with knives.
The structure is their small, unsafe universe where knives and other objects hang that could fall down at any moment.
An unhealthy mix of knife throwing, a rebellious computer and lots of bad ideas.
“Us” is a collaboration between Joris Verbeeren and Simone Scaini.
Blending their backgrounds in juggling and acrobatics, they immersed themselves in the world of knife throwing, spending three years researching, refining and reinventing this traditional circus discipline.
Moving beyond the classic image of the knife thrower and his assistant, US preserves the real tension and thrill that define traditional circus, while placing it in a contemporary theatrical framework. A contemporary circus performance full of technology with traditional touches of juggling, slapstick, Japanese show cooking, flairtending and magic...
At the heart of the show stands a third performer: the structure. Suspended above the stage, 100 objects hang in constant suspense. At any moment, they can fall — triggered by a custom-built computer system and a single red button.
The duo developed their own hardware and software, allowing every theatrical and technical effect to be controlled live from the stage. No external operator. No hidden tricks. Just timing, precision and trust.
US is a performance where skill meets technology, tension meets humor, and risk is balanced by playful absurdity.
Key Words
-
A contemporary circus performance that blends knife-throwing with technology, striking a balance between playful absurdity and real danger.
-
Big, small kids doing dangerous things with knives….
-
Knife throwing, technology and comedy.
Credits
With and by: Joris Verbeeren & Simone Scaini
Coaching and outside eyes:
Wennie Deruyck
Sander Decuyper
Maxime Dautremont
Hanne Vandersteene
Craig Weston
Light design:
Seppe Brouckaert
Sound:
Mathias Hoste
Technical support:
Felix Repp
Emmanuele Marangon
Filming: Jakob Rosseel
Residencies:
Transfo Labo
Cirkl Leuven
CC De Ververij
Transfo Zwevegem
Kunsten op Straat
Mira Miro
Perplx
With the support of the Flemish Government.
Contact and bookings: booking (e-mails, website, social media,...)
- “The critics’ award for best international circus performance” in Catalonia, Recomana 2023
- Gauklerfest: Special prize for best Show
- Review Aroundaboutcircus