PLAY DEAD

“Drama, emotion, seduction – this production is a feast for the eyes.”
– The Berliner

Set in a universe of domestic trappings and interlocking stories, Canadian People Watching’s creation Play Dead observes the beautiful, twisted and sometimes laughable facets of the human experience. Through its dynamic hybrid of acrobatics, movement and physical theatre, the piece puts forth a surrealist chronicle of the familiar. But far from settling into bored fatalism, this show marvels at the absurdity of the mundane and celebrates life, the same way people desperately dance to the last song before the party ends.

This currently one of the best contemporary circus shows is brought to Oulu in collaboration between Flow Productions, Oulu theatre and Cirko – Centre for New Circus.

People Watching is a Montreal based collective, creating at the intersection of contemporary circus, dance and physical theatre- Each personally established in their field, the six artists have worked for companies such as The 7 Fingers, Circa, Cirque du Soleil and Broadway.

Founded in the tumultuous Spring of 2020, the collective was initially moved to investigate ways in which intimacy could be shared with an audience during a time of profound seclusion. The inquisitive nature of this creative process has laid the groundwork for a practice that seeks connection over grandiosity. Weaving in the visceral language of circus with their organic approach to acrobatics, the company has established a body of work that has reached national and international recognition in the performing arts community, and has fostered collaborations with a multitude of established venues, festivals, creatives and companies.

In 2025, the collective was named associate artists at Usine C, launching a two-year residency that will serve as a creative engine for new works.

PLAY DEAD • 16th May, 2026 • Program calendar

Oulun teatteri

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