CC BLACK BOX CIGARETTES: A Contemporary Circus Experience
CC Black Box Cigarettes unfolds as a contemporary theatrical piece housed within the vibrant ecosystem of Alicante’s cultural corridor. The project flies under the umbrella of the Concurs de Projectes de Producció de Teatro, an initiative steered by the City Council and supported by Dansa i Circ Alacant a Escena. This show also forms a key part of the Circarte festival, now in its thirteenth edition, which travels through multiple towns across the province. An exhibition at the Municipal Art Center further cements these performances as a growing cultural mainstay in Alicante.
On stage, the Dos en Vilo Company, established in 2018, offers Faüla—a narrative woven around young women who discover that heroism can lie within every person. The production explores emancipation through the lens of contemporary circus, blending disciplines to appeal to broad audiences. Camila Manzano and María Pilar Martínez guide an expedition toward female empowerment with harness work, physical theatre, and deft manipulation of everyday objects. The result is a seamless fusion that amplifies artistic expression while remaining accessible and engaging for viewers of all ages.
Inside the Black Box at the Cigarreras Cultural Center, the performance reveals how early limits shape perception and ambition. The sonic landscape invites the audience into a charged space where emotion and technique converge, and the performers Marta Climent and the two-person ensemble synchronize their movements with precision. The aim goes beyond mere transmission of skill; the show seeks to communicate meaning and affect, inviting spectators to look deeper into the content and context of the acts.
The trio’s roots lie in the world of clowning, a lineage that informs their playful approach to environment, tricks, and object manipulation. While some moments could benefit from further refinement, the production consistently expands possibilities and ties scenes together with fluid transitions. A standout visual element—an oversized flamenco skirt—adds a striking silhouette that is echoed by the performers’ acrobatic dynamics at both the highest and lowest points of the stage.
The fabric’s fall reveals the lattice framework of the set, while costumes echo traditional female roles associated with aprons and cleaning tasks. Symbolically, these images are subverted as the performers push through boundaries, balancing and emitting plastic, sculptural poses from ropes and hoops acting as supports. Their spins unfold under the warm reception of a circus-loving audience, who witness a sense of freedom taking shape in real-time.