Contemporary circus performance How a Spiral Works

2nd Lithuanian Performing Arts Platform, Vilnius International Theatre Festival “Sirenos”

Do you find time to take care of yourself? In this performance, the performers fight for time.

Time to care for yourself and others, even in extreme circumstances. How hard is it to care when you are under pressure? At the centre of a whirlwind? High above the ground? In pain?

Circus dramaturg Jason Dupree (UK), choreographer Alise Bokaldere (LV) and aerial acrobat Izabelė Kuzelytė (LT) made time for one another to create a hypnotic, meditative contemporary circus performance combining contemporary dance, aerial acrobatics and hair hanging (in English hair hanging) with modern Baltic folk music.

One dancer, one aerial acrobat and one rope are bound together in a constantly changing relationship. “How a Spiral Works” (Lithuanian: How the Spiral Works), is a quiet “re-evolution” inviting us to stop and rethink circus as a form of entertainment.

“For the first time in the UK, “How a Spiral Works” was presented at Jacksons Lane to a sold-out audience in 2025. The hypnotic, almost Zen-like circus and choreography held the audience’s attention from beginning to end. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of our first 50th-anniversary season.”

— Adrian Berry, Jacksons Lane

“In today’s fast-moving, caffeine-fuelled world, this work was a wonderful contrast. It is a caring performance that took its time and gave my mind room to engage. If you want to reset your mind, this is the show for you.”

— Audience member

“One of the best contemporary circus works — technically flawless and deeply moving.”

— The Lowry

Art For Rainy Days is a performing arts collective comprising circus artist Izabelė

Kuzelytė, dancer Alise Bokaldere and dramaturg Jason Dupree. Bringing together different experiences, their goal is simple: to draw inspiration from each other’s artistic perspectives and create together.

Art For Rainy Days means leisurely breakfasts, doodles in the margins of notebooks and a steaming cup of afternoon coffee. It is art inspired by the rituals and little things we turn to on unproductive days to relax, breathe and find time for ourselves.

Best Contemporary Dance Performance and Best Dancer awards | Latvian Dance Awards, 2024

Organisers of the 2nd Lithuanian Performing Arts Platform: Lithuanian Theatre Centre, Lithuanian Dance Information Centre, “Operomanija” and Lithuanian Culture Institute. Partner: Goethe-Institut.