Contemporary circus company Cirque Éloize brings iD Reloaded to Milton Keynes Theatre this month.
The Montreal troupe is promising to blow audiences away with this fresh new show, which is inspired by the original West End and international hit, iD. Infectious energy? Phenomenal physical feats? Guaranteed.
Theatregoers can expect to be transported to the heart of a vibrant city – a stimulating public space where identities are forged and individuality is expressed – and astonished by an intoxicating blend of urban dance, daring stunts and dazzling acrobatics. Nine talented performers will flaunt their skills in a diverse mix of disciplines: breakdance, hip hop, gymnastics, contortion, juggling, trampolining…
The action takes place against a backdrop of eye-popping video projections and plays out to a pulsating soundtrack. Pitched as West Side Story meets hip hop meets circus, iD Reloaded is set to exhilarate and entertain.
Cirque Éloize was established in the Magdalen Islands in the early 1990s when Jeannot Painchaud and seven young artists decided to found a circus company. Innovative from the start, they chose to move away from the traditional big top spectacle and incorporate narrative elements to appeal to audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. The company’s history of innovation is also demonstrated by the fact that co-founder and early collaborator Daniel Cyr invented the Cyr wheel (a human-sized hoop in which a performer spins and rolls).
The iD Reloaded performers are: Alexia Medesan (contortion, aerials), Adam Dransfield (dancer, B-Boy, chair balancing and trampoline), Bryan “Slinky” Boyer (dancer, B-Boy), Lakesshia “Kiki” Pierre (dancer, B-Girl), Trevor Bodogh (trial bike), JP Deltell (juggling and trampoline), Kayden Woodridge (Chinese pole, hand to hand and trampoline), Christophe Bate (straps, Cyr wheel) and Florence Amar (aerials and hand to hand).
The creative team comprises: Jeannot Painchaud (creative producer and stage director), Elon Höglund (choreographer and associate stage director), Jean-Phi Goncalves and Alex McMahon (musical composers), Frederick Ouellet (set designer), Liz Vandal (costume designer), Stéphane Ménigot (lighting designer), Bernard Mauran and Yannick Doucet (video designers), Rémy Jannelle (sound designer) and Véronique St Germain (makeup artist).
Cirque Éloize’s iD Reloaded is touring nationwide thanks to support from Dance Consortium, which invites must-see international contemporary dance companies to visit venues across the UK. The regional theatres that are part of the consortium unite for the benefit of dance-loving and dance-learning audiences. Previous Dance Consortium tours include enthralling Canadian collective The 7 Fingers and celebrated South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo, who died unexpectedly in December 2024 after a brief illness.
Opening night of iD Reloaded at each tour venue includes a post-show Q&A (free for ticket holders).
Production photography by Valérie Remise.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, with no interval.
Cirque Éloize performs iD Reloaded at Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October 2025 at 7.30pm. The UK tour continues until 18 October 2025.
This preview is also featured on Total MK.
Update 11 October 2025: Read my review of Cirque Éloize’s iD Reloaded at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
