SIRKUSLANDSBYEN I TORSHOVPARKEN

Fredag 4.september kl 20:00

Lørdag 5.september kl 20:00

DELUSIONAL - I Killed a Man

is a contemporary circus solo show that embarks on a trans woman´s journey.

The show explores the haunting feeling of having murdered one’s former self, a common experience for many trans women when leaving their assigned gender behind.

Through a multidisciplinary repertoire of circus disciplines such as aerials, dance, singing, and physical theatre, Diana Salles invites us to reflect on the physical and emotional strength it takes to honor one’s deepest truth.

Cast
Diana Salles

Author
Diana Salles & Firenza Guidi

Directed
Firenza Guidi

Light Creation
Firenza Guidi & Boy den Boer 

Sound creation
Lukas Thielecke

Costumes
Alexander Michael Arnold

Brazilian-born Diana Salles has emerged as a prominent voice in the contemporary circus.

A graduate of the prestigious École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC) in Belgium, she studied under the notable mentors Roman Fedin and Valérie Dubois, specializing in aerial silks. 

Diana’s work centers on the connective power of circus and its potential to bring social issues to the stage. Her artistry has been recognized globally in 2019 with her aerial silks act, Genesis; she earned the bronze medal and the "Prix de la Ville de Paris" at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain and the Public Choice Award at FIRCO in Madrid. 

Since then, Diana has created acts and been an interpreter of various socially relevant creations, such as SABOTAGE of NofitState directed by Firenza Guidi and Death in Venice, an opera by Benjamin Britten brought back on the stage by the collaboration of NofitState and The Welsh National Opera. Diana played the mother of Tadzio, being the first trans woman in this role. 

In 2023, Diana premiered her solo show DELUSIONAL - I Killed a Man, created in collaboration with director Firenza Guidi. The performance explores her transition from male to female, earning acclaim for its raw honesty and uniquely personal creative process. This groundbreaking work further solidified Diana's role as a leading voice for queer identities in contemporary circus.

The show debuted at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival, where it was honored with the Best of Fringe - International Bursary award, and the Freiburger Leiter award, a prestigious German platform recognizing exceptional performing arts productions and fostering international touring opportunities.

In 2025 DELUSIONAL was part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The production was awarded the Bragi Award which celebrates creativity, experimentation, and excellence in new writing and contemporary performance, created by Summerhall Arts, the organization that hosts performances at the Fringe, in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn.

Diana Salles:

"It has always been essential for me to connect with people, to share a special moment or simply what I believe, and for that I chose the stage to be.

BUT WHY CIRCUS?

Over the years circus as an art form has grown on me and I am continuously surprised and grateful when I see how far it has taken me and how passionate I’ve become. 
Circus is the space and time to take a breath and watch to see what unfolds, where all possibilities can find their way into being. It has the power to bring people together, which has always been my joy and aim. To this day, circus continues to be the most surprising aspect of my life and I’m sure it will always be.” 

DELUSIONAL ‘’I killed a man’’ is supported by the Zirkus ON Creative Alliance. Zirkus ON is funded by the Commissioner for Culture and Media of the Federal Government of Germany through the Promoting Connections program of the Federal Association of Independent Performing Arts (BFDK)."

Delusional by Diana Salles – a production in agreement with Quartier Libre Productions

Varighet: 55 min

Aldersgrense: 12år

Passer best for voksne og unge voksne

Billetter: Voksne 200,- Honnør/stud/unge 150,-

NB: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes and strobe lighting

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