On the Edge 2026 - Being (M)Other

What's it about?

Festival for experimental circus art by KreativKultur Artistic direction: Arne Mannott Circus? Yes. But not as you think. No ring. No applause on demand. Instead, objects with a life of their own and acrobatics that question political responsibility. Vienna's first festival for experimental circus art at Theater am Werk. The seventh edition ON THE EDGE! What started very small has now grown big - a festival that has come to stay! Every year in November, national and international artists come together for ten days to offer the audience new exciting approaches to contemporary experimental circus art in performances and experiments. It is also always about networking and exchange. This year's festival edition again offers very different formats: intimate solo pieces, expansive installations, lecture performances, concert performances and large stage creations. Ten artists/collectives from Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Estonia and France share their very personal views on circus this year. Juggling meets installation art, acrobatics meets tap dance, trapeze acrobatics meets concert, as well as acrobatics and comedy meets queer storytelling. With four invited productions, ON THE EDGE 2026 also takes a special look at Switzerland and its innovative contemporary circus scene. What connects all festival artists: the joy of experimentation! With great naturalness, they question classical circus techniques and renegotiate central circus themes such as physicality, risk or virtuosity - in interaction with dance, performance, theatre and visual arts. In different aesthetic forms of expression, themes such as identity, gender, discrimination, parenthood, resilience, trust and nonconformity are reflected. The artists bring us their personal stories as well as societal questions - and the circus itself. Sometimes quiet and thoughtful, sometimes loud, wild and resistant, but above all courageous. All this together makes ten special days, ten days in an exceptional state. The festival centre is, as usual, the Theater am Werk in Kabelwerk in Meidling, and performances will also take place at Theater am Werk am Petersplatz and in Dschungel Wien. In cooperation with Tanzquartier Wien, workshops are also offered. Last but not least, you can also participate and discuss on 07.11. at the international "take care" conference, which deals with mental health in the circus and art sector. From November 04 to 13, Vienna will again be in circus fever - there is much to discover. We wanna circus with you!