Arts & culture, Campus & community, Events at Berkeley, Performing arts

Circus arts meet pro wrestling in a raucous theatrical performance

On Oct. 5 and 6, Cal Performances is presenting SLAM!, a gravity-defying circus arts performance that may leave audiences rethinking what’s possible on theatrical stages.

By Anne Brice

Seven acrobatic performers dressed like pro wrestlers perform a scene in a ring — Left to right: Fabien Cortes, Stephane Pansa (behind), Adèle Saint-Martin, Jonathan Julien, Jérémie Arsenault, Cédrik Pineault and Maeva Desplat in *SLAM!* Cal Performances is presenting the gravity-defying circus arts show that channels the spectacle of pro wrestling on Oct. 5 and 6 in Zellerbach Hall.
Jfsavaria

two acrobatic performers dressed as pro wrestlers — Jérémie Arsenault (standing) and Fabien Cortes in *SLAM!* Unlike in circus arts, pro wrestlers often land on their backs and heads, so the acrobatic choreographer, Olivier Normand, had to figure out ways for the performers to land without causing injury.
Jfsavaria

during a circus arts performance, performers juggle cotton candy around a person selling popcorn — During *SLAM!,* the action also moves out of the ring and involves other characters, like commentators, bodyguards, fervent fans and camera operators.
Jfsavaria

two cirque performers dressed as pro wrestlers battle in a ring. one is dressed in fur-lined boots and holds another down in an extreme backbend, while she pretends to yell in pain. — Naomi Eddy (in blue and pink) and Maeva Desplat in *SLAM!*
Jfsavaria

a cirque performer dressed as a pro wrestler holds up a pretend dumbbell while two men in suits and sunglasses stand on either side of her. — Maeva Desplat began doing acrobatic gymnastics when she was 3 or 4 years old, and joined the troupe Flip Fabrique in 2023. In training for *SLAM!*, she said they tried to find similarities between moves used in pro wrestling and circus arts.
Jfsavaria

performers dressed like pro wrestlers fly backward from a table set up on the floor outside of the ring. — Cal Performances audiences are encouraged to join the drama and bring their faux outrage and exuberance to the event.
Jfsavaria

two acrobats dressed as pro wrestlers, one doing a handstand and splits on the other's hand outretched straight up — Fabien Cortes (standing) with Adèle Saint-Martin in *SLAM!*
Jfsavaria

three cirque performers dressed like pro wrestlers in a ring. one dressed as a kilted Scotsman looks like he just threw a smoke bomb, the referee is holding their hands over their face and another is lying on the ground in defeat. — Left to right: Stéphane Pansa, Jérémie Arsenault and Fabien Cortes in *SLAM!*
Jfsavaria

September 30, 2024

It’s not every day that a Greek warrior and a contortionist Barbie come head to head in a contentious battle. Or a kilted Scotsman faces off with a muscled superhero. But on Oct. 5 and 6, Cal Performances is bringing you just that in its presentation of SLAM!, a gravity-defying circus arts performance that may leave audiences rethinking what’s possible on theatrical stages.

Made up of eight performers, the Québécois troupe FLIP Fabrique has teamed up with renowned opera and theater director Robert Lepage to bring the spectacle of professional wrestling to the stage. Think Hulk Hogan meets Cirque du Soleil, only instead of beefy wrestlers ripping off their shirts — well, actually, there is that, too — it’s highly flexible acrobats doing handstands on tightropes, backflipping off each other’s shoulders and bending their bodies in half as they battle their foes.

But true to its name, there’s also a lot of slamming — into each other, onto the floor, anywhere you can imagine. It was a challenge to master for the troupe’s acrobatic choreographer, Olivier Normand, who’s been with the group for 12 years.

“In circus, you usually try to land on your feet,” he said. “But in wrestling, you don’t often land on your feet. You mostly land on your back, even on your head, or upside down. So we had to find acrobatic moves to land five to six times a week without injuring ourselves.”

In SLAM!’s highly choreographed performance, wrestlers play characters in a mock competition that requires daring physical feats and a lot of attitude. Audience members are characters, too, booing and cheering as the drama unfolds.

During the performance, the music sets the tempo of the matches, and a sound designer creates the feeling of a big arena, complete with crowd reactions. Some sketches move out of the ring to include commentators, bodyguards, fervent fans and camera operators. And Cal Performances audiences are also encouraged to bring their faux outrage and exuberance to the event.

“It’s very rare in a theater space that you have permission to stand up and shout at the referee or the wrestlers,” said Normand. “It’s really a great evening.”

Learn more about SLAM!, watch videos of the troupe’s rehearsals and buy tickets for the show on Cal Performances’ website.

UC Berkeley students can pick up $10 tickets for some of the best seats in the house (while they’re available) for the Saturday, Oct. 5 performance through Cal Performances’ Golden Bear Circle program. After the Saturday show, UC Berkeley student ticket holders and their guests are invited to attend a post-performance reception, where they can connect with each other and enjoy complementary light refreshments.