Circus collective Company Kate and Pasi brings two shows to Brighton Fringe Festival. Solo performance Sound Barrier by Katerina Repponen explores different ways to use a whip. Suhde by Repponen and Pasi Nousiainen (eng. a relationship)is a story of two people fighting over a chair, and the dynamics of their relationship. Repponen and Nousiainen tell what to expect.

What made you to take part in Brighton Fringe?

R: “It is an amazing opportunity. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Finnish Institute in London. This festival can bring us a lot of possibilities.”

How would you describe Suhde?

N: “Suhde is a humoristic circus performance. It is a story of a man and a woman, and equality between them.”

R: “Audience is able to identify themselves with the piece, because the relationship in the story doesn’t have to be between a man and a woman. It can be also between siblings for example. A big sister can fight with her little sister over a chair the same way as we argue over a chair in our performance.”

How would you describe Sound Barrier?

R: “The theme of my performance is a whip. It is a simple tool, and you can do many things with it. I want to break down the prejudices, as a whip is often associated with violence and sexuality. A whip can be so much more, and many beautiful things can be done with it.”

What inspired you to create Suhde and Sound Barrier?

N: “We are a couple, and Suhde is based on that. The idea of fighting over a chair came from a memory of me fighting over a chair with my brother. We brought the chair to our relationship. It is inspiring to create something new. We mix traditional circus techniques that have not been mixed many times before, such as a partner acrobatics and juggling. It would be pretty boring to do same things over and over again.”

R: “I haven’t seen a female artist making a solo performance with a whip before. It is inspiring to try something new, and bring audience something they haven’t seen before. .”

How do you expect the British audience will react to your show?

N: “This is the first time we perform in Britain. We have high expectations, because there is a strong performing arts tradition in England. We think, the British audience will appreciate our work.”

R: “We have performed in 17 different countries so far. All of our performances have worked out well. I think the same will happen in Britain.”

Suhde by Company Kate and Pasi. Address: The Old Market, 11a Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS. Performances: 28.5. 15:00. Admission £8.50 –10.50.

Sound Barrier by Company Kate and Pasi. Address: The Old Market, 11a Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS. Performances: 29.5. 19:00. Admission £8.50 –£10.50. 

Interview: Veera Heinonen

Photo: Andreas Manz & Mia Bergius