Les Arts Sauts are flying at the forefront of the revolution that's been wiping out the boundaries between dance, theatre and circus - no self-respecting spectacle these days is complete without its aerial element:
1. The Generating Company: Storm
We have the much-maligned Millennium Dome to thank for the creation of a whole new generation of British-based aerial talent. The cast of the Millennium Show, easily the best thing about the whole event, forms the core of The Generating Company, whose ambitious debut, Storm, was an ingenious mix of music, streetwise theatre and circus chicanery. It's revived at the Barbican this December.
2. De La Guarda
Even the audience flew in this stunning slice of wall-climbing magic from the harem-scarem crew who overturned the idea that experimental shows never sell. It ran for well over a year at The Roundhouse.
3. The Birds
Even the Royal National Theatre is getting in on the act with Kathryn Hunter's production hoping to integrate circus and theatre as never before with the help of aerial choreographer Matt Costain and a cast of human birds. It's at the Lyttelton until August 14 and then embarks on a Big Top tour.
4. John Paul Zaccarini
This Circus Space favourite is Britain's finest solo aerial artist. Drowning Not Waving, his piece created with director Flick Ferdinado under the banner Company f/z, turns the body into a human waterfall.
5. Daksha Sheth Dance Company
Martial arts and yoga take to the air in India's electric take on the aerial arts. Catch them at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 6 to 25.
