The internationally renowned NoFit State circus are back in town at Bluestone, near Narberth, bringing their newest large-scale tented touring show home to Wales until June 9.

This is the only chance to see the critically acclaimed ‘Lexicon’ in the UK in 2019.

‘Lexicon’ is the latest extraordinary production from this internationally renowned Welsh company, who last year toured as far afield as Avignon and Melbourne and this year will go on to Lyon and Antwerp after West Wales.

Founded in 1986 by five friends, during a politically charged time, in a recession, and as a creative reaction to the world around them - NoFit State was circus was born.

Over thirty years since its humble beginnings, the company still believes that the total outweighs the sum of the parts - living, working and eating together, travelling in trucks, trailers and caravans and living and breathing as one community - this is what creates the spirit that is NoFit State and gives the work its heart and soul.

Six years after appearing at the Bluestone venue with ‘Bianco’ (which became NoFit State’s longest-running and most successful large-scale production) - ’Lexicon’ takes place in the company’s iconic ‘Big Top’, with a specially designed new seating rake, bringing together world class circus with a phenomenal live band in an unforgettable show for audiences of all ages, that combines music, dance, stage design, with traditional circus skills.

It is rooted in the travelling community who turn up, pitch a tent, drum up an audience, and then leave with only flattened grass and a memory to show they were ever there.

Directed by award-winning director Firenza Guidi, ‘Lexicon’ is a world inhabited by ‘quiet misfits and furious poetry’ - a world of magic, laughter and lightness.

Right from the off when one of the performers, high-wire walker Ellis Grover (who started learning parkour on the streets of nearby Carmarthen before running away with NoFit State back when he was just 16) takes on the dangerous and terrifying balance feat, the audience are encapsulated by the show.

In fact, opening night of Lexicon was his first ever performance of the high wire in the big top tent, which would explain the joy shown on his face after a rapturous round of applause from the crowd.

No Fit State’s artistic ‘policy’ is to create ‘beautiful carnage and organised anarchy’ whilst endeavouring to be ‘seriously exciting’ and ‘classically fresh’ and this certainly manifests itself during the evening, as you won’t believe you could have so much fun watching a man on a unicycle trying to dress himself or another performer trying to avoid setting his clothes alight as he tries to juggle fire!

The fusion of original music that sets the scene for each set piece, is worthy of the ticket price alone, with performers that only minutes ago are seen taking on mesmerising high flying feats, are next nipping back and forth to join the live band.

Once you take your seat in the arena, the journey that audiences are taken on for the entire performance is unique, energising and captivating.

Over the last ten years NoFit State’s touring productions have visited 19 different countries, played to audiences of over 460,000, as well as receiving critical acclaim and winning numerous prestigious international arts awards, so don’t miss your chance to catch them in Pembrokeshire now.

Tickets are available by ‘phoning the box office on 02921 321 021 or on the website at www.nofitstate.org/en/shows/lexicon/

Pics. Mark J Robson