Moss

Focasa Circus is Taiwan's first pioneer contemporary circus company. “Moss” is a collaboration
with the binational German/Taiwanese choreographic duo Peculiar Man. The production is inspired by the fictional story of five of the artists in FOCASA Circus, who grew up together as childhood friends, “performing” street circus in the back yards of Taipei, attended circus school together and now form the nucleus of the company. “Moss” tells a fascinating and poetic story about the hardscrabble life of kids in the big city – full of exuberant, anarchic power and gentle melancholy. The five characters encounter each other repeatedly, comparing their strength, arguing, tussling or helping each other. With their brilliant physiques and effortless control, the performers seem to be able to do absolutely anything with their bodies. Juggling, balancing acts, tightrope walking, Far Eastern body and circus elements are combined together with martial arts stage stunts to form breathtaking choreography. The piece describes the events of a single day: a back yard is cleared by street workers, but no sooner has the area been cleared than the “moss” starts to spill out from all corners – the kids reconquer the stage. The music ranges from American hits to electronic beats and Brazilian chansons, lending the evening a timeless poetic character. Peculiar Man are Tsai-Wei Tien and Jan Möllmer, who both spent many years as dancers touring the world with Wuppertaler Tanztheater Pina Bausch. Their independent choreographic work consistently carries echoes of the unique spirit of the great, world leading German choreographer.

The European premiere of »Moss« is one of the highlights of the focus on Taiwan at Kunstfest Weimar 2025.