Residency: 2 till 7 of February, 2026
Title of your performance (in progress): What the (H)ELLE!
What you are exploring during your residency: We would like to dive into the development of the characters, and working on the theatral part / physical theater to give them a stronger charactere and developing groupe scene.
What is your performance about: What the (H)ELLE! should become a bold and dynamic 60-minute circus-theater performance that reimagines the concept of hell through a contemporary lens. Blending circus arts, physical theater, and interdisciplinary performance, the show challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh, rebellious exploration of power, fear, and identity.
At the heart of the story are archetypal characters inspired by mythological figures from the traditions of hell, such as Lucifer, Lilith, and the seven deadly sins. Rather than addressing these themes from a religious perspective, What the (H)ELLE! approaches “hell” as a deeply personal and individual experience. The show critically questions patriarchal structures through the character of Lucifer, the supreme ruler of hell, who faces his own personal nightmare: the loss of authority and power. In contrast, Lilith embodies strength, independence, and defiance, representing a modern image of femininity.
In a world where everyone has their own version of hell, the show dares to ask: What does hell look like when the ruler himself loses control? Combining intense physicality with dark humor and expressive storytelling, What the (H)ELLE! invites the audience on a provocative and thought-provoking journey into the underworld.
The performance blends ground-based and aerial disciplines, juggling, acrobatics, and dance, creating a visually striking and emotionally engaging experience. With its raw energy and thematic depth, What the (H)ELLE! stands as a powerful statement on modern struggles, feminist power dynamics, and the breaking of societal norms.
Brief biography: The Ghouls is a Berlin-based circus collective formed by six professional artists. All members are graduates of renowned European circus schools such as Die Etage (Berlin), ACaPA (Tilburg), Carampa (Madrid), and SKH Stockholm.
Coming from diverse disciplines, our collective merges technical mastery with strong theatrical and conceptual approaches. Our work explores the intersection between traditional circus technique and contemporary performance and dance, driven with theatre, humor, and visual storytelling. Beyond this production, members of The Ghouls are also active in other artistic collaborations such as Meander Collective (DE), Flex Acrobats (AT), and Kollektiv Klaus (DE), Sweet Delirium (DE), performing in festivals, cabarets, and contemporary circus venues across Europe.
Yvon Fragnière (CH) – juggling, partner acrobatics (novycircus.com)
Hanna Effenberg (DE) – straps, contortion (hanna.effenberg.de)
Anaïs Scheel (DE) – aerial silks, physical theatre (anaisfeli.com)
Valerie Moser (AT) – handstand, group acrobatic, chinese pole (Insta: vali_moser)
Max Patschke (DE) – partner & group acrobatics (Insta: max.patschke)
Zinnia Nomura (USA) – aerial, handstand, and dance (www.zinnianomura.com)
Where to find more info about you/your work: What the (H)ELLE! – Novy Circus