Kompani Giraff creates inventive, visually sublime circus performances that combine technical brilliance with poetic magic. We bring together contemporary circus, magic and movement in a scenic universe unlike anything else - often wordless, and therefore accessible to a wide audience regardless of language. Drawing on our different backgrounds in the performing arts, we explore new ground in contemporary circus and create truly interdisciplinary works of art. At the heart of our work is a child’s perspective - a belief in young people’s capacity to engage with both complex themes and abstract expression. Through the meeting of playful seriousness and a respectful, curious approach, we seek to spark recognition, empathy and imagination.
The company has roots going back to the early millennia with the legendary variety show Salong Giraff in Stockholm. As it progressed, one of the creatives behind the show, circus performer Viktoria Dalborg, decided to carry on the legacy and formed Kompani Giraff. She was joined by visionary magician Axel Adlercreutz and high fashion designer Sus Soddu. The three artistic directors, together with their hand picked ensemble, create shows with the unique flavor of visual elegance, fluid magic and intelligent choreography which the company is known for today.
Kompani Giraff gives about 150 performances per year. Internationally, the company has performed in China, America, France, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta.
Kompani Giraff has support from the Swedish Arts Council, The Region of Stockholm, The City of Stockholm and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
Axel Adlercreutz has a background as a magician and is a triple Swedish champion and Nordic Grand Prix winner in magic. He has developed his own magic concepts characterized by a seamless and strong visual narrative that challenges the boundaries of what can be told with magic. His work has made him one of Europe's foremost in new magic (magic nouvelle) and in demand as a magic inventor and director.
Viktoria Dalborg is a director with a background as a physical actor and circus artist. The step into the circus world began when she was to interpret a poem by Edith Södergran and needed to learn to walk on a tightrope. She was educated at a clown school in Copenhagen and at circus and theater schools in Stockholm, then followed a number of years at Orionteatern and Stockholms stadsteater, among others. Together with Suzanne Osten at Unga Klara, the interest in performing arts for children and young people was awakened and valuable knowledge about directing and creative processes where the children's perspective is always central, was established. With her inventive mind and poetic narrative, Victoria is a unique voice in the performing arts.
Sus Soddu is a costume designer and scenographer with a background as a fashion designer, which is reflected in her characteristic idiom. There is an attraction to the abstract and the absurd; an endeavor to raise and pay homage to the dysfunctional in the human. With a playful artistic nerve and empathic humor, she approaches the scenic story with great emphasis in the concept-based process. With great craftsmanship she creates both costume and a stage room that architecturally and functionally challenge the artist, not infrequently on an intersectional level.
Press Photos
Photo: José Figuroa
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