Magdaclan Circo is a collective of artists who have made contemporary circus a living, shared language. It is capable of speaking to the present through the body, risk and a deeply human poetics. Magdaclan Circo represents a unique blend of creativity and innovation in the world of circus arts.
A contemporary circus born from bodies, relationships and shared risk
There is an idea of circus that has nothing to do with the exotic, excess or nostalgia. A circus arises from bodies, relationships and shared risk. MagdaClan is just that: a collective body with pulsating muscles and an open mind. It is capable of unleashing sincere emotions without ever resorting to spectacular shortcuts.
The company was symbolically founded on New Year’s Eve 2010/2011 under a trullo in Ceglie Messapica. However, its roots lie in the years of training and experimentation at the FLIC Circus School in Turin, where the seven founders met between 2004 and 2010. It was there that a vision for Magdaclan Circo took shape: to deconstruct the forms of traditional circus and seek new bodily asymmetries. They also aimed to question the very grammar of the stage.
The technical quality is extremely high, but what really strikes you is the humanity that permeates every gesture. The artists of MagdaClan are never satisfied; they continue to defy gravity with irreverence and madness, building a direct dialogue with the audience, which is literally brought to the centre of the stage. Nothing can be traced back to classic formulas or pre-packaged models: each show is the result of careful, sincere, shared artistic research.
This research is recognised by critics, operators and the audience. MagdaClan’s projects are supported by important institutions such as the MiC – Ministry of Culture, the Piedmont Region, the Compagnia di San Paolo and many others. The company’s repertoire includes numerous collective productions, street performances, cabaret, solo performances, site-specific performances and projects dedicated to schools, as well as intense promotion and support for contemporary circus through festivals and artistic residencies.
The MagdaClan marquee, designed like a Rubik’s cube with a thousand identities, is a creative hub open to different forms of expression: dance, theatre, music and poetry. Its intimate size has allowed the company to establish a unique relationship with cities, urban spaces and local communities. In over a decade, MagdaClan Circo has set up its big top in more than 130 cities. They have participated in major festivals in the sector and also performed in theatres.
And it is precisely in the theatre that MagdaClan arrives this week: the show will be staged at the Teatro Verdi in Florence on 15, 16 and 19 January as a matinee for schools and on Saturday 17 January for children and parents. The presence of Magdaclan Circo in such a reputable venue marks a significant milestone for the company and the Italian contemporary circus scene.
A precious opportunity to experience one of the most authentic and vital experiences of contemporary Italian circus live. An event not to be missed for those seeking a new, free and deeply human perspective on today’s scene.
