DanceHouse: Recirquel’s “Paradisum” – MPMG Media Relations Campaigns

PRESS RELEASE

DanceHouse and The Cultch Present North American Premiere
of Recirquel’s Otherworldly Paradisum

Hungarian cirque dance company invites audiences to witness a visceral, mesmerising spectacle set in the aftermath of a destroyed world

Vancouver, BC — DanceHouse and The Cultch present the North American premiere of Recirquel’s haunting Paradisum, on stage January 21-24 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Directed and choreographed by Recirquel’s Artistic Director, Bence Vági, the daring, full-length work fuses circus, contemporary dance, and physical theatre, using the common language of movement to explore themes of renewal and connection in the face of an uncertain future.

“In this turbulent geopolitical moment, work from Hungary offers a rare window into the resilience and imagination of artists creating amidst complex social and political currents,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “Premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, Recirquel’s Paradisum invites us to see beyond headlines and engage with a compelling artistic perspective shaped by its time and place.”

Accompanied by a striking soundscape of strings, electronica, and percussion composed by Edina Szirtes, six performers take the stage, embodying the overwhelming effort of existence in a post-apocalyptic world. Elements of stagecraft – a rippling black drape, a ladder, rings, a hoop – transform the stage into a living being, creating otherworldly vistas as the artists engage in breathtaking aerial work and choreography.

Lauded as “physically impressive [and] undoubtedly beautiful,” (The Guardian), Paradisum unfolds as a work of physical poetry. The performers balance extraordinary feats of strength and agility with moments of profound stillness and grace, moving through scenes of purification, birth, awakening, and ritual as they encounter the natural forces of their newly fallen world.

“We are excited to be partnering with DanceHouse once again to bring another extraordinary show to the Vancouver Playhouse,” say Heather Redfern, Executive Director of The Cultch and Nicole McLuckie, Associate Executive Director of The Cultch. “Recirquel’s Paradisum is a beautiful, mythological work which is epic on a scale that will wow Vancouver audiences.”

Founded in Budapest, Hungary in 2012 by director and choreographer Bence Vági, Recirquel has become one of the leading contemporary circus companies in the world, representing a unique style of circus combined with dance and theatre, building upon the flair of mid-eastern European classical theatre culture. The productions of this pioneering company bewitch audiences worldwide with the immersive quality of the magical universes they create.

Following Vancouver’s North American premiere, Paradisum will continue touring in Canada, with performances in Québec City, Montréal, and Toronto.

This performance contains strobe lights and is recommended for patrons aged 12 and older.

For tickets and further information, visit: dancehouse.ca

About DanceHouse (dancehouse.ca)

DanceHouse connects Vancouver audiences, and the local arts community, to the international world of dance by presenting exceptional companies that are recognized for their excellence, innovation, and international reputation. Since 2008, DanceHouse has presented vibrant and inspiring companies from Canada and around the world. In addition to the performances on stage, DanceHouse offers a suite of engagement opportunities and a chance for the general public and local artistic community to engage with the presented artists and their work.

About The Cultch (thecultch.com)

Since 1973, The Cultch (formally known as the Vancouver East Cultural Centre) has been one of Vancouver’s most diverse and innovative arts and cultural hubs. The organization operates three theatrical venues, a gallery, and various ancillary spaces in the heart of East Vancouver, and presents electrifying digital presentations through The Cultch Online. The Cultch offers dynamic contemporary programming in theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts, bringing world-class cultural presentations to thousands of citizens each year through its own programming and through providing rental opportunities for community users. Our purpose is to provide a venue for performance that serves a diverse and engaged public and provides space for artistic experimentation and development, building an audience for local companies and presenting cutting-edge national and international work.

LISTING INFORMATION	DanceHouse *and The Cultch present Recirquel’sParadisum***
Dates:	January 21-24, 2026 at 8pm January 24, 2026 at 2pm
Tickets Prices:	From $40.75
Address:	Vancouver Playhouse 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Box Office:	dancehouse.ca or call 604.801.6225
Website:	dancehouse.ca