The gender-strength dynamic, in circus and in life, comes under scrutiny in this slow-burning duet by Montreal-based duo Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Malette-Chénier. Size, weight, physics: these are all factual properties that surely lead to certain roles in acrobatic balances. Or do they, ask Bisserier and Malette-Chénier. What can’t be denied is the size difference between this pair; she’s about a foot shorter than him, as is made plain when they slow dance together at the start. They try out different, curious poses. She sits on his head, hugs and dangles from his body. He tries out the latter pose on her and she sustains it. But then the two begin to bicker (in circus terms, that is). He picks her up and she flails. She blocks his lifts. 

Eventually he storms off and she is left alone to try and entertain the crowd herself, a motif which is later repeated the other way round. The loose narrative seems to be that they can’t survive without co-operation, and their co-dependency, both as partners and circus artists, is explored nicely as the show progresses. 

Eventually they settle into trying and testing different ways to find equality in their balances. The trouble is, however, surely physics dictates that this apparent equality in reality means she is doing far more work than him? When she lifts him, he weighs more. When he lifts her, her tricks are more complicated. Was this the sentiment they intended? In addition, some of the passages in the middle feel as if the material is being stretched a little too thinly. Still, Bisserier is a wonder to watch, as she hand-to-hand balances Malette-Chénier in the air.

N.Ormes, Assembly Roxy, until 25 August, 5.15pm; main picture: Tibault Caron.