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Australian contemporary circus troupe Circa blends acrobatics and dance in “Leviathan.” Courtesy Johannes Reinhart.

The word “circus” tends to conjure up images of a big top and clowns; probably a company of 36 performers launching into acrobatics from a grid suspended in mid-air isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. But contemporary circus troupe Circa puts a different spin on the idea of what a circus can be.

The company, based in Brisbane, Australia, brings its unique brand of circus performance to Stanford Live with its show “Leviathan,” taking place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Memorial Auditorium.

“Leviathan” blends elements of acrobatics, tumbling, contemporary dance and theater — with the aforementioned grid as a major setpiece. The show, created by Circa Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz, celebrates what’s possible when people work together, according to Circa’s website. The piece, which was co-commissioned by Stanford Live and supported by the Stanford Live Commissions and Programming Fund, debuted in 2020 at the Perth Festival in Australia.

Circa presents “Leviathan” Sept.30-Oct. 1 at Memorial Auditorium, Stanford. Tickets start at $32. For more information., visit live.stanford.edu.

A sense of theatrics brings extra visual drama to Circa’s production of “Leviathan.” Courtesy Johannes Reinhart.

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Heather Zimmerman has been with Embarcadero Media since 2019. She is the arts and entertainment editor for the group's Peninsula publications. She writes and edits arts stories, compiles the Weekend Express...

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