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Life on the Line // Nonni
Iceland University of the Arts
Graduation Festival 2026
MA Performing Arts
Inspired by the writer’s own experience as a circus performer in a traditional traveling circus, this show offers an intimate glimpse behind the scenes, focusing on life in the shadows of the spotlight. Set backstage at the circus and performed by an ensemble of eight international cast members, it traces the blood, sweat, and tears behind hours of preparation that shape an artist’s body and mind before a performance. Life on the Line refers to the pressure of repeatedly performing daring and physically demanding acts, until danger and pain become a familiar presence. Over time, what once felt horrifying grows easier and more controlled. The work questions the limits of the human body and the motivations behind thrill-seeking behavior: why some choose this path and whether it is worth the cost. It reveals circus life as a place of focus, responsibility, trust, and patience, where a single mistake can have irreversible consequences.
———
Nonni is a multi-disciplinary artist currently focused on aerial acrobatics. He is a skill based strength athlete, a national team gymnast and national record holding powerlifter. After two and a half decades of training artistic gymnastics, and acquiring an international judge’s status with World Gymnastics, he is uniquely familiar with physical movements and technical training. His artistic background is one of music and performing arts. For the last decade he has mainly worked as a circus artist, showcasing his skills across various circus disciplines and stages nationally and internationally.
Participants:
Sally Cowdin
Arnór Dan Arnarson
Stefán Þór Þorgeirsson
Hanna Ágústa Olgeirsdóttir
Aleksandra Perepelytsia
Thomas Burke
Bjarni Kristbjörnsson
María Oddný Sigurðardóttir
Þorbjörg Jónasdóttir
Rökkvi Sigurður Ólafsson
Arna Tryggvadóttir
Thanks:
Sirkus Íslands
Pilkington Props
Álfrún Helga Örnólfsdóttir
Egill Ingibergsson
Bergdís Júlía Jóhannsdóttir
Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir
Unnur Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir
Sigurður Andrés Sigurðarson
Ingrid Esperanza
Nicole Maisey
Árni Beinteinn
Nick Candy
Sindri Diego
Urður Ýrr
Ólafur Arnalds
When:
30.01.2026 from 18:30-19:30 – Q&A
31.01.2026 from 18:30-19:30
01.02.2026 from 18:30-19:30
Where:
Big Black Box, L223 – Laugarnesvegur 91, 105 Reykjavík.
Meeting point downstairs in the hallway by the main entrance, walk through the building and up the round stairs to the performance space.
Wheelchair access through the second floor backdoor.
Care information:
Contains nudity, profanity, and strobe lights.
