Drawing from circus, stand-up and live art, Contra is a solo-cabaret of contradictions.
"Contra is a compelling physical performance. Laura Murphy’s ability as a circus performer is mesmerising to watch, but it is the boldness and honesty in her words that makes Contra feel like a vital show.”
- Steven Fraser, The Wee Review ****
Fierce, witty and uncompromising, this highly physical show interrogates personal, social and historical occupations of the female body and explores, literally, where such bodies are positioned and how we are meant to look at them.
Expect scenes of nudity, aerial acrobatics, and explicit references to mythical reptiles and female sexuality.
Expect scenes of nudity, aerial acrobatics, and explicit references to mythical reptiles and female sexuality.
Credits
Written and performed by Laura Murphy
Directed by Ursula Martinez
Producer: Nicole A’Court-Stuart
Lighting Design: Katie Davies
Relight & Technical Stage Manager: Jenny Roxburgh
Early Stage Mentoring: Terry O’Connor
Choreographic Support: Madeline McGowan
Directed by Ursula Martinez
Producer: Nicole A’Court-Stuart
Lighting Design: Katie Davies
Relight & Technical Stage Manager: Jenny Roxburgh
Early Stage Mentoring: Terry O’Connor
Choreographic Support: Madeline McGowan
upcoming performances
10th October - La Biennale, Toulouse
Past Performances
2024
17th & 18th January - Arts Centre, Viernulvier, BEL
8th May - Festival of Fools, Belfast, UK
25th May - Le Sirque Nexon, FR
8th May - Festival of Fools, Belfast, UK
25th May - Le Sirque Nexon, FR
2023
21nd & 22nd April - Jacksons Lane, London, UK
23rd & 24th September - CIAM, Aix-en-Provence, FR
1nd & 2nd December - Zirkusquartier, Zurich, SWZ
23rd & 24th September - CIAM, Aix-en-Provence, FR
1nd & 2nd December - Zirkusquartier, Zurich, SWZ
2022
22nd April - Revel Pucks Circus Tent, Bristol, UK
5th June - Cologne Circus & Dance Festival, DE
13th & 14th October - Theatre de Nimes, FR
5th June - Cologne Circus & Dance Festival, DE
13th & 14th October - Theatre de Nimes, FR
2021
19th & 20th October - The Lowry, Salford, UK
23rd October - Jacksons Lane, London, UK
23rd October - Jacksons Lane, London, UK
2020
31st January & 1st Feb - Tour Vagabond, Fribourg, SWZ
12th February - Cirkusmania, Stockholm, SW
14th February - Feral Festival, Copenhagen, DEN
12th February - Cirkusmania, Stockholm, SW
14th February - Feral Festival, Copenhagen, DEN
2019
7th & 8th March - Cirko Helsinki, FI
14th & 16th March - Circus Next,Paris, FR
23rd March - Jacksons Lane Theatre,UK
28th March - Copenhagen Circus Arts Festival, DE
12th April - La Grainerie, Toulouse FR
9th May - Cirkorama, Croatia HRV
26th & 28th June - Fusion Festival, Larz, DE
31st July-11th August - Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe, UK
5th-7th September - At.Tension, Larz, DE
21st September - ATOLL Festival, DE
23rd September - Cirkobalkana, Belgrade, RS
29th September - Mala Voadora, Porto PRT
18th-19th October - Circus City, Bristol, UK
9th November - Circadia, Liverpool, UK
15th November - Carre Magique, Brittany, FR
19th November - Jacksons Lane Theatre, UK
14th & 16th March - Circus Next,Paris, FR
23rd March - Jacksons Lane Theatre,UK
28th March - Copenhagen Circus Arts Festival, DE
12th April - La Grainerie, Toulouse FR
9th May - Cirkorama, Croatia HRV
26th & 28th June - Fusion Festival, Larz, DE
31st July-11th August - Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe, UK
5th-7th September - At.Tension, Larz, DE
21st September - ATOLL Festival, DE
23rd September - Cirkobalkana, Belgrade, RS
29th September - Mala Voadora, Porto PRT
18th-19th October - Circus City, Bristol, UK
9th November - Circadia, Liverpool, UK
15th November - Carre Magique, Brittany, FR
19th November - Jacksons Lane Theatre, UK