We had the absolute pleasure of seeing The Genesis this week at Assembly Music Hall, and let me just say — it was phenomenal. Powerful in every sense of the word, this show earned an enthusiastic five-star review from each of us.
Seventeen incredibly skilled acrobats from Denmark’s Copenhagen Collective took to the stage, performing an endless series of gravity-defying feats that had the audience holding their breath one moment and bursting into applause the next. These were not your average flips and tricks — we’re talking about human towers four people high, mind-bending leaps and tumbles, and sequences so creative that at one point performers became human skipping ropes.
From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear that every performer had complete trust in their teammates. These are the most extreme “trust falls” you’ll ever see — and they pulled them off again and again with grace, strength, and seemingly effortless control.
One detail that really stood out to us — and left a lasting impression — was the complete refusal to fall into gender stereotypes. There was no trace of the tired trope of strong men lifting delicate women. Instead, we saw men lifting men, women lifting women, and yes, powerful women lifting men. It was all strength, all teamwork, and all equal.
As a parent, this meant the world. Watching these powerful and graceful women perform on equal footing — and often quite literally supporting one another — was especially inspiring for my daughters. At one point, as the women stood stacked in a human tower, my eldest leaned over and whispered, “girl power.” I couldn’t resist whispering back that it was a “girl tower,” prompting a well-deserved eye roll. But in all seriousness, I loved seeing this physical and symbolic celebration of women supporting women.
Throughout the show, the combination of daring acrobatics and subtle, expressive storytelling was flawless. The audience was utterly rapt and, by the end, rose as one for a well-earned standing ovation. Bravo, indeed.
If you’re at the Fringe and looking for a show that will astonish you, move you, and maybe even inspire a “girl tower” moment of your own, go see The Genesis. You’ll be glad you did.
Edinburgh with Kids rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Please note – we received press tickets for the purpose of this review but all reviews are our own! Get tickets here
