Performer: Pilobolus

Pilobolus conjure an ephemeral world of colourful creatures in Shadowland at London's Peacock Theatre. 

Pilobolus’ Program B at the Joyce Theater offered five works, one from the first decade of the company’s existence and four more recent ones. The oldest piece fared best, with the strongest narrative and best integration of Pilobolus-esque gravity-defying lifts with movement; the newer pieces most often resorted to fancy props, cheesy facial expressions and impressive but gimmicky lifts.

Pilobolus’ program begins with a film short about their namesake, titled Pilobolus Is a Fungus. The playbill offers further education, explaining that the, arguably, repugnant spores are propelled with “extraordinary speed, accuracy and strength”. The message here is that these artists look for inspiration literally everywhere. Program A is a relentless testament to that mission.