!Ukbum! at TOLLHAUS: ARBO brings wonder to Karlsruhe
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A shimmering stage experience between acrobatics, light, and fantasy
With ARBO, an extraordinary theater and circus image opens up in Karlsruhe: A metal cube full of thousands of lights, an acrobat in floating motion, and an atmosphere where loneliness turns into connection. The production by Jef Kinds and Mia Drobec combines contemporary circus, installation, and poetic imagery into an evening that awakens the senses and captivates the audience immediately.
When light becomes dramaturgy
The production does not rely on loud effects but on a precisely guided dramaturgy of movement, shadow, and light. Every flight, every turn, and every light impulse forms its own chapter. Thus, a stage design is created that does not decorate but tells a story. The lighting design carries the emotional tension and transforms the performance into an almost meditative theater atmosphere.
Between body art and technical precision
Jef Kinds, as performer and co-creator, brings a physical presence that noticeably densifies the space. The performance works with aerial acrobatic moments that appear both fragile and powerful. Mia Drobec, as artistic director, shapes a clear artistic signature in which direction, music, costume, and light form a delicate unity. The production clearly bears the hallmark of contemporary circus art with a strong musical and visual focus.
An evening for all senses
The audience does not experience a detached performance but an intense stage experience. The installation unfolds a hypnotic pulling effect, intensified by the precise music of Willem Ardui and the carefully composed light dramaturgy. The mention of stroboscope effects underscores how consistently the performance works with perception. Those who engage with these images experience art as a physical experience, not just as observation.
What makes this production special
ARBO has been developed, among other things, with residencies and co-productions in the European circus scene and was a finalist at circusnext 2025. This underscores the artistic relevance of this work. Thematically, the evening revolves around the question of how connection can arise from loneliness. This is exactly where the performance gains its poetry: from a quiet, almost floating narrative style that resonates long after.
Conclusion
On September 21, 2026, the audience at TOLLHAUS Karlsruhe can expect a concentrated, visually impressive, and emotionally sensitive stage experience. ARBO combines contemporary circus, installation, and light art into an evening full of wonder. Anyone who loves extraordinary theater atmosphere should experience this performance live.
Official channels of JEF KINDS & MIA DROBEC:
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- Website: https://www.arbocircus.com/
