Drawing from circus, stand-up and live art, Contra is a solo-cabaret of contradictions. Fierce, witty and uncompromising, this highly physical show interrogates personal, social and historical occupations of the female body and explores, literally, where such bodies are positioned and how we are meant to look at them. Expect scenes of nudity, aerial acrobatics, and explicit references to mythical reptiles and female sexuality. Written and performed by Laura Murphy and directed by Ursula Martinez.
Age rating: 16+ (nudity, references to sex)
★★★★
The Wee Review
...the boldness and honesty in her words make Contra a vital show.
…a blistering show blending standup, confessional
and circus performance… kicking against the culture of female oppression.
Contra is all the mess that is pushed down, only to spring back up, and that is precisely what makes the show so thrilling.
★★★★
The List
Photos: Milan Szypura, Bernadette Fink & Mark Lycett
Written & Performed by Laura Murphy
Creative Team
Creative Producer
Nicole A’Court Stuart
Early Stage mentoring - Terry O’Connor
Choreographic support - Madeleine McGowan
Lighting design - Katie Davies
2019 Dates
7th-8th March : Cirko (Helsinki, Finland)
15th-16th March: CircusNext @ Maison Internationale La Coupole (Paris, France)
23rd March: Jacksons Lane (London, UK)
28th March: C!CAF (Copenhagen, Denmark)
12th April: La Grainerie (Toulouse, France)
9th May: Cirkobalkana (Zagreb, Croatia)
26-28th June: Fusion Festival (Larz, Germany)
31st July-11th August: Summerhall (Edinburgh Fringe, UK)
5-7th September: At.Tension Festival (Larz, Germany)
21st September: ATOLL Festival (Karlsruhe, Germany)
27th September: Cirkobalkana (Belgrade, Serbia)
29th September: UMA FAMÍLIA INGLESA 2019 @ Mala Voadora (Porto, Portugal)
18-19th October: Circus City @ Arnolfini Bristol (Bristol, UK)
9th Novermber: Cirqadia Festival (Liverpool, UK)
15th November: Le Carre Magique (Lannion, France)
19th November: Jacksons Lane (London, UK)
2023 & 2024: Upcoming Dates
21st-22nd April 2023: Jacksons Lane (London, UK)
17th-18th January 2024: VierNulvier (Ghent, Belgium)
2020 Dates
31st January & 1st February: Tour Vagabond (Fribourg, Switzerland)
12th February: Cirkusmania @ Södra Teatern (Stockholm, Sweden)
14th February: Feral Festival (Copenhagen, Denmark)
19th March: Cambridge Junction (UK) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
1 & 2nd April: Mythos Festival (Rennes, France) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
17-19th April: Pfefferberg Theater (Berlin, Germany) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
24 & 25th April: T-Werk (Potsdam, Germany) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
25th May: The Lowry (Salford, UK) POSTPONED to 2021
30 &31st May: Circus-Dance Festival (Cologne, Germany) POSTPONED TO 2021
1st August: Circus Bende Festival (Amsterdam, Holland) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
2021 Dates
16th January: Théâtre de Cornouaille (Quimper, France) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
29th and 30th January: Theatre de Nimes (Nimes, France) POSTPONED TO 2022
27th February: Unfrisiert Festival (Luzern, Switzerland) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
16th March: Cirque-Théâtre d’Elbeuf SPRING Festival CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19
19th & 20th October: The Lowry (Salford, UK)
23rd October: Jacksons Lane (London, UK)
2022 Dates
22nd April: Revel Pucks Circus Tent (Bristol, UK)
5th June: Circus & Dance Festival (Cologne, Germany)
13th & 14th October :Theatre de Nimes (Nimes, France)
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Supported by: CircusNext (Laureate 2018-2019. CircusNext is a European Programme coordinated by Jeunes Talents Cirque Europe and supported by the European Union), Arts Council England, Jacksons Lane, Hangar Arts Trust and Invisible Circus, Room 100, Cirkorama, Cirko, Espace Catastrophe and La Grainerie.