Perth had a taste of Gravity and Other Myths (GOM) in Winter last year, as part of the RE//PERTH Festival. This dynamic troupe is back to wow audiences with A Simple Space.

The first thing you notice when you first settle in is how bare the stage appears. There are no elaborate costumes or fancy set pieces. The troupe don’t even wear makeup. The lack of distractions allows the audience to immerse themselves in the world of GOM, where limbs appear ridiculously malleable and invincibly strong.

If you’ve ever been involved in gymnastics or dance, you will appreciate the technicality involved in this show. Every trick requires physical strength, mental fortitude to control each weight-laden step and impeccable timing. One misstep could lead to a five metre drop to the ground. Yet, the troupe make everything look effortless. Even hard falls are simply dusted off and walked off.

The camaraderie is solid with this team of players. It would have to be, given the degree of trust needed to pull off the high-risk tricks. GOM accentuates their tight bonds by injecting playfulness and humour in their show. It is endearing to see them have so much fun. You also can’t help but laugh at their attempts to sabotage each other. It’s like being at recess again, where kids play to their hearts’ content and invent games with the silliest rules to pass the time.

A Simple Space is actually not simple at all. It is a well-considered, complex blend of acrobatic prowess, friendship and human strength. This symbiosis makes it a must watch and makes me keen for the next adventure GOM will take us on.