LOVE THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: Ukrainian steam punk show Inspire Extraordinary shone on the German stage

On January 19, 2024, the Ukrainian acrobatic and dance circus team "INSPIRE EXTRAORDINARY" which was founded by Oleksandra Lychman performed for the first time in Düsseldorf with its unusual project in the steam punk style  –  "Extraordinary show". The story that the actors of the show wanted to present tells about the love of a time traveler and a girl from another time space. The show, which combines circus and acrobatic tricks, choreography and modern technologies and projections, is called "Wonder ADVENTURE". WONDER ADVENTURE SHOW was choreographed by Khytruk Volodymyr, who also performed one of the main roles in the show – his character is a student of a time traveler. The Ukrainian team managed to implement the project in Germany with the support of Stefan Balack, creative director of Winterzauber Event UG. Learn more about how the Ukrainian team conquered the German scene when you read Drive Music Media's report from the epicenter of the events.

As soon as you enter the tent, you see handmade inventory in a steam-punk style. On one side of the tent is a photo booth, next to which is a small table with souvenirs. The room smells pleasantly of pancakes with chocolate. A sense of comfort appears – you are welcome here. It's snowing outside the tent, but it's not cold here at all. There is an hour and a half left before the show, and you see how the artists are running from side to side, checking the equipment, the stage, the light. Everyone is in anticipation of the show.

The ceo founder of the show program "WONDER ADVENTURGE" comes to us. His name is Oleksandr Vinogradov.

There is not a lot of time, but he is happy to give a comment to our journalist and open a little veil of the birth of the team and the plot:

"The founders of the "Inspire Extraordinary" project are a team from Ukraine, from the city of Mykolaiv. We created this project four years ago. We used to have a small team. The team consisted of 17 people. Organizers, choreographers, everyone improved this idea every year. We do absolutely everything with our own hands. The scenery, the equipment... so it took a lot of time to develop the exact concept. From a small show for 30 minutes, we turned into a full-length program with a very interesting design, direction. For the first time, we showed this show in Ukraine, in our native city of Mykolaiv. A thousand people came to us. Over time, we held this show several more times in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. After that, we went to Turkey, where we performed with this show for 4 years as part of a concert agency. I would really like to surprise the German audience. Put on a truly extraordinary show. Unusual and new. In Germany, the audience loves the show, and the people in general love the show. They love such events, so we expect a good positive reaction."

After that, the director of the show returns to his team, someone called colleagues for help. Less than half an hour later, people begin to gather in the rest area. The artists have already changed their clothes and are finishing preparations for the show. Some of them invite visitors to enjoy drinks, some – to take pictures in a specially arranged area. It seems as if you are in the company of old friends – Ukrainians can always make you feel at home with their hospitality. There was no pathos, only friendly smiles.

In the hall, which was empty only a few minutes ago, there was almost no free seat left. One of the artists was standing at the entrance, helping people find their seats. Everyone was in anticipation of the show – some took pictures with the artists in a specially arranged steam-punk style area, and some enjoyed drinks and nachos. It was clear from the faces of the actors that they did not expect such a response, but were very happy. A few more minutes and the show will begin.

The light went out in the hall. People look intently at the arena in anticipation of the show. Suddenly, one of the main characters appeared on the stage – the lord of time, who in the future will become the main enemy of the lovers in their joy of being together. The role of the master of time is performed by the ceo founder of the show program "WONDER ADVENTURGE" – Oleksandr Vinogradov. The eye lenses, vintage hat, cane and manner of walking create a feeling of menace. The light barely falls on him. It seems that he will be alone on the stage for a long time, but no, after a few minutes his servants appear. It is interesting that in this show absolutely all emotions and events are conveyed through the form of dance.

After the end of the dance of the lord of time and his servants, another main character of the play appears on the stage – a time traveler with his student. He tries to connect the time machine and succeeds. He and his student, whose role is played by Volodymyr Khytruk, are transported to another time, where they must show tricks with a closed chest and a hula hoop challenge, next they see a bunch of girls in clothes from another time and boys who have arranged competitions on horizontal bars. Professional tricks on horizontal bars and fiery dances with umbrellas conquer the hearts of the audience. And this is just the beginning of the show.

Then everything develops very quickly. In the form of a dance, we see the acquaintance and wedding of the two main characters. Interestingly, the girl and the time traveler are played by real-life husband and wife – Anastasiia and Volodymyr Khytruk.

After this very energetic scene, the lights go down and we see the three actresses of the show lying in the arena. Next to them stands Dmytro Kasyanenko, who is already ready for an unusual trick – jumping over the actresses on the back wheel of a bicycle. Multicolored light falls on each of the girls. Having successfully completed his act, Dmytro shocks the audience for a few more minutes with bicycle stunts and leaves to thunderous applause.

So far, all the events that have been shown in the arena have been positive, but we all know that the lord of time does not want to give the lovers a chance to be together. The negative setting of the time lord is detailed in the dance form. Only the time traveler lightens the atmosphere a bit with his funny little ball tricks.

In the next scene, the lovers are first sitting under a tree. The moment is quite emotional, because it is then that they begin to understand that they may face obstacles. Artificial fog surrounds them, which creates a romantic and mysterious atmosphere at the same time. Then they get up and a very emotional dance begins, during which we see both love and fear of separation, struggle. The moment when Volodymyr holds the legs of his partner Anastasia in his palms is impressive. She stands on his arms.

Next, the Time Lord and his minions enter the scene. They are dancing. And as soon as the active part of the dance ends, an aerial gymnast appears in the arena, giving the audience such a light and beautiful atmosphere. At one point, she does splits in the air, which cannot fail to impress.

Next, we see many performances: an act with a cube performed by Viktor Nagorny, a battle dance between the lord of time and friends of lovers. But, the most emotional moment of the show was the fall of the student of the time traveler, after which his girlfriend is grabbed by the servants of the time lord and taken away.

A decisive battle awaits the heroes. The girl was taken in shackles, and the boy has to go through a difficult struggle. It seems that at some point there was a break in time and the main character ended up among the tribe. There he had to fight as well. And then, the lider of the tribe helps him.

At this moment, you understand that absolutely everything you saw during the show was made by the artists and founders of Inspire Extraordinary. All stunts, costumes, choreography, and even the marquee itself, in which the audience sits, are designed by the team.

Everyone is waiting for the final scene. After all, it will be shown there whether love will win. At some point, he frees her, and here we see a dramatic moment. The main character is unconscious. The time traveler's apprentice bends over his beloved. Alive.

The show ends with an expressive battle between the main character and the Lord of Time. At some point, he pushes him away from him, grabs a stick, and we understand that love has won.

All actors are invited to the stage. To thunderous applause, ceo founder Volodymyr Vinogradov invites costume designer Kateryna Vasilieva to the stage. After her, the founders of Inspire Extraordinary take the stage together with their children.

The audience leaves the hall in delight. The Inspire Extraordinary team will be performing their Wonder Adventure show every day up to and including February 25, 2024.

 So if you are interested in the theme of time travel and fiery dances – the Wonder Adventure show is just for you.

Pictures taken by Demone Ritti