Preview: Cirque Mechanics’ ‘Tilt!’ Spins Into Pepperdine with Acrobatics & Amusement Park Magic

On Tuesday, Oct. 7th, at 7:30 p.m., Pepperdine University’s Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts will welcome Cirque Mechanics with its latest creation, Tilt!, at Smothers Theatre. Billed as “a circus thrill ride,” this inventive production whisks audiences into a 1980s-inspired amusement park, where the backstage bustle of carnies and ride operators becomes the setting for feats of daring and laughter.

Central to Tilt! is a giant, man-powered Ferris wheel, a mechanical centerpiece that anchors the production’s clever take on circus spectacle. Around it, performers launch into acrobatics, juggling, and aerial displays, all enhanced by a vibrant original score and touches of comedy. The storyline follows a worn amusement park worker who unexpectedly (and perhaps serendipitously) comes into contact with a guest’s boom box, setting off a lively chase through the carnival backdrop. What begins as conflict gradually shifts into a moment of shared delight, accentuating the show’s message that joy can appear in unforeseen places.

Cirque Mechanics is no stranger to blending spectacle with storytelling. Founded in 2004 by German Wheel artist Chris Lashua after the success of Birdhouse Factory, the company has carved a niche — often compared to Cirque du Soleil — for delivering high-energy acrobatics with a distinctive industrial edge. Alongside Chris, Aida Lashua serves as Co-Founder/Producer, helping guide the company’s productions from concept to stage. Aloysia Gavre, the show’s Co-Director/Choreographer and co-founder of Cirque School (in LA) as well as Troupe Vertigo, infuses Tilt! with kinetic drive, melding circus artistry with theatrical presentation. Scenic designer Sean Riley provides the splendorous framework for the amusement park world, while writer Steven Ragatz contributes narrative texture, and costume designer Caroline Rodgers outfits the performers in vibrant attire that audaciously acknowledges the retro charm of the 1980s without slipping into caricature. Composer Michael Picton adds further lift with his score, shaping moods that range from mischievous to poignant.

Audiences at Pepperdine can expect an evening that appeals across generations. Children will revel in the humor and visual surprises, while adults may find themselves swept up in the nostalgia of amusement parks and the awe of circus feats rendered with contemporary flair. The suitable, setting-reinforcing music heightens the sense of immediacy, and the machines — part ride, part stagecraft — ensure that no two moments look alike.

With Tilt!, Cirque Mechanics demonstrates why it’s widely regarded for its creative fusion of acrobatics and mechanical design. At Pepperdine on Oct. 7th, the company is primed to offer more than a night of entertainment: it promises to deliver a celebration of human ingenuity, collective joy, and the timeless thrill of watching performers defy gravity right before your eyes.

Cover image caption: Cirque Mechanics: Tilt! is coming to Pepperdine University’s Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts on Tuesday, October 7th at 7:30 pm. Image courtesy of Kirk Marsh Photography.

For more information about Tilt! by Cirque Mechanics and to purchase tickets for the Tuesday, Oct. 7th performance at 7:30 pm on the campus of Pepperdine University (Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts’ Smothers Theatre), visit arts.pepperdine.edu.