By a Thread

Seven Australian acrobats and 30 metres of rope create By a Thread, a contemporary circus work that transforms industrial pulleys and heavy-duty sailing rope into mesmerising aerial performance.

The show weaves virtuosic acrobatics and intricate choreography through moments of confusion, hilarity, romance, playfulness, fear, and friendship. The rope serves as a physical manifestation of trust, exploring the give and take, balance, and dynamics of human connection. Performers work 6 metres above the ground, using classic acrobatic techniques in expansive ways with only the white cotton rope as a prop.

Director and company co-founder Charice Rust explains: "At the core of By a Thread is a desire to share with the audience the trust implicit in ensemble acrobatic work. Circus is a powerful art form because what you see before you is actually what is happening. When you see someone taking a risk by hanging upside down from a rope that is held up only by other people, there is no illusion or trick — that risk is real and the audience can feel that."

Fresh from touring Europe, Canada, and Asia, the highly experienced ensemble has pooled their knowledge and skills to create an exploration of trust and community through acrobatic performance.