Circus Contraption’s Show to End All Shows will be just that—after 10 years, the 16 members of America’s best cirque noir are pulling up stakes and going their separate ways.
“It’s a result of too much work and people looking to do other things, people wanting to branch out, and the difficulties of keeping an ensemble together over 10 years,” said managing director Erin Brindley. More on the company and its breakup in coming days, but for now:
Last year, one of the Contraptioneers told me, on the occasion of their new CD: “We’ve survived marriages, break-ups, addictions, one stubborn teetotaler, screaming matches, flatulence, bus breakdowns, six accordion players, massive egos, questionable artistic instincts, spandex pants, and seven band members sharing one eyeliner.”
It began like this:
And ends like this:
Good to know you, Circus Contraption.
The Show to End All Shows runs through May 31. Find tickets here.
This is sad news. I’ll look forward, of course, to seeing CC’s many talented performers emerge in new projects, but Seattle is losing one beautifully depraved, witty, scrappy, and often genius congregation of imagination.
Go see the show!
Fuck!
Well, shit, goddammit, and a second Fuck! I love Circus Contraption. At least they’re going out by choice and (hopefully) not because of budget concerns or lack of interest. I might just have to have a schmortzle in their honor.
Dibs on their space.
This sucks!
May I ask the source, Brendan?
@ 5. Yes, sorry, should’ve included that—Erin Brindley, the managing director.
Ten years?
Never, ever heard of it.
Sounds interesting. Something I might have gone seen if they tried advertising the thing.
Some shows in Seattle just love keeping themselves a “secret” and wonder why no one comes.
@7 Um, did you read ANYWHERE in there that they’re calling it quits because “no one comes”? Every single time I’ve been to a Circus Contraption show it’s been sold out, or near sold out. You have zero idea what you’re talking about.
NO! Say it ain’t so!
@4 — exactly what I was thinking. Anyone know what’s happening to it?
PS — you just GOT a nice space. Let someone else have one 😉
This sucks. SUCKS.
You Guys all ROCk!! Been my pleasure to see you all a few Times in my Travels.
Your Cds still play pretty regular around here, is that weird?
Mabey I can make it to the show, if not Blessings to each of you for all your hard work and fun times!!
UBNSTRUCK-
@10:
I didn’t say I was going to KEEP it, but damn – 20 foot-high ceilings, and only a handful of narrow roof support posts in the interior – a fella can dream, can’t he?
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. This transition is a hard one for us, too.
On the other hand, the split is entirely amicable, and you can think of it like a dandelion going to seed… on May 31st, when we give it that one last blast of air, all those performers will go out into the Seattle arts community and start new things!
Seattle has a lot to look forward to, I think. This utterly incredible group has honed their craft for 10 years, and now each of them is going to get out there and do more STUFF. Wonderfulness will ensue… I’m sure of that.
Until then, this show – running every weekend through the end of May [plug, plug, plug] – will be your last chance to see this particular form of madness that we call Circus Contraption.
Thank you Seattle for supporting us for so many years!
– Christian Jacobsen
President, Board of Directors
Circus Contraption
no!!! This is sad news indeed!
p.s. on the space dibs- hoping Lara keeps teaching aerials in it?
oooohhhh sadness. this group is so uniquely insane and their wonderful dark ridiculous scary genius has made me and mine so happy over the years. i’m so proud that CC was in my city! we will be sure to keep an eye out for the dandelion seeds sprouting round and about, so we can come blow kisses…
@15:
I’m hearing that, although CC will disband as a group, individual members still plan to utilize the space, so your hopes may not be unfounded.
a labor of love requires much labor and I hope that the contraption got back some well deserved appreciation for their work to make our neck of the world more interesting. Thank You CC – we are richer for your gifts.
wager: this is a publicity stunt to get their shows to sell out.
@19: How much are you willing to bet?
One of my favorite songs is “July Like A Dog.”
Tragic! So, so sad. These guys are amazingly talented as individuals, but as an ensemble the synergy is true magic. My heart is with all of you!
22 is really underestimating the individual talents.
I can’t wait to see the solo work of Ms. Pepper.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
There is nothing like it, and nothing will be the same. Sadness. I’ll look forward to whatever they do individually – but together…magic!
I’m incredibly saddened to hear that this troupe is disbanding. They have brought some of the most innovative and original entertainment to this city and it will be sorely missed. My fondest wish is that each seed of this particularly twisted dandelion will grow into something peculiar and brilliant in the fashion of its predecessor.
I look forward to seeing all of you performing as new incarnations of the dark and wonderful talents that you are.
This was an amazing company of performers. I have been lighting candles, praying they would come back to New York City one more time. The show was mesmerizing and the music was sublime!