Extraordinary Bodies create circus for every body on Cathedral Green

A fitting end to the Unexpected Festival's array of extraordinary performances, which took place in and around Exeter over the past week, Diverse City and Cirque Bijou's Extraordinary Bodies circus troupe with a difference wowed onlookers on Exeter Cathedral Green. The Company comprised leading disabled and non-disabled dancers, actors and circus performers, and highly skilled Paralympians new to the world of performance.

Aimed at challenging perceptions of diverse and extraordinary bodies, old and young, and building on the positive perception of disabled people that emerged from the media exposure of the Paralympics, the show certainly achieved the intended goal of pushing the boundaries and aesthetics of circus and extreme physical performance and reinventing traditional circus skills.

Eight artists and athletes performed an entirely new piece on Sunday afternoon, Weighting, which challenged the force of gravity on a unique and exceptional flying staircase raised above the audience's heads that had to be seen to be believed.

The participatory element to Weighting was music-led and brought together performers from the local community to form the Unexpected Choir. This integrated choir was made up of over 80 Exeter-based performers from The Deaf Academy, The Big Noise Chorus, Newtown Community Choir and Magic Carpet Choir. Some used voice, others sign language, while others worked with the body in unison. A beautiful song, Moments and Memories, was composed for the choir by Extraordinary Bodies' Musical Director Dom Coyote (Kneehigh Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, RSC). Led by Exeter-based Choir Master Colin Rea, founder of the Big Noise Chorus, the choir accompanied the circus show in a flash-mob style performance.

The Paralympics Association have endorsed the project, saying: "Extraordinary Bodies is a really positive initiative, aiming to showcase the incredible skills of disabled and non-disabled people alike. Challenging perceptions and showing what disabled people are capable of is at the heart of our vision and to see this replicated outside of sport, in the world of artistic and theatrical performance, is fantastic. We wish the project the best of luck and hope it helps to build on the positive perception of disabled people that was inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

Choir member Celia Hitchings told The Exeter Daily: "The show was just amazing and also very emotional, I feel so privileged to have been in the choir."

Did you see Extraordinary Bodies perform? Were you amazed or delighted by the performance? If so, we would love to hear from you... please email your comments to natalie@thedailyuk.com

Extraordinary Bodies is supported by Arts Council England.