5 YEARS OF PERFORMANCE

A CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST

YEARS IN PERFORMANCE AT NEUMEISTER, STOCKHOLM. What young boy hasn’t dreamt of just packing his bags and running off to IT’S MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE… join a design agency? That was exactly what Peter Neumeister did once upon a time. Here was an adventurous and cosmopolitan world that whisked him far away from the sleepy, little, Swedish town of Staffanstorp. Magnificent and exciting, always filled with that extra special something. But when you've been in the business a while and learned the trade: sooner or later you want a show of your own…

When that moment arrives, you need to create a performance that breaks new ground, an extravaganza that treats the crowd to something a little out of the ordinary. And just like in the world of the , if you want to be the of a truly great show — every single act has to have an excellence that’s worth every cent of the ticket.

Finding these skills takes time. Building up a programme where everything will work smoothly together is an even tougher task. If you’ve visited a circus late at night, after the last performance, you’ll understand. The passion in the big ring often becomes frustration at the late night card game. Such is the nature of great ambition. But you have to keep on struggling, being creative and never giving in to indolence. Or even worse — routine: every act’s worst enemy. Something that the legendary Lillian Leitzel, “The Queen of the Circus”, bitterly learned, back in the early 30s, when she fell from the during a routine she had performed at least a thousand times. In this world you always have to explore the limits, without ever losing your perfectionism. When it’s the family name on the big sign outside: it’s your reputation at stake. And you don't want to run away again. PEDRO THE MAGNIFICENT: THE WORLD’S BABOU THE FEARLESS AND THE KING OF THE BEASTS STRONGEST MAN

Lion taming certainly isn’t for everyone. This profession demands pedanti- A classic attraction. The strongman must possess not only awe-inspiring cally regular routines and a solid disposition. No sudden moves! Above all, strength, but also endurance and discipline. As each new audience sits you need phenomenal courage. The capacity to master enormous beasts on the edge of their seats, he must perform his astounding feats — every and put them on display. Training rampant young who are bursting single evening. One small error would be disastrous for his reputation. His with energy, but haven’t yet learnt the rules of the circus... powers must never fail. RUBY ROMANOV: THE RUBBER LADY THE MYSTERIOUS DR MANDULFO

The word “” derives from the Ancient Greek: akrobate´o¯, “to If you want to be a great illusionist, you must constantly surprise. Even climb to the heights”. A breath-taking performance based on strength, when the audience return night after night, trying to discover your secrets. suppleness, , co-ordination and sometimes teamwork. It’s the art Perhaps it is that ability to so elegantly vary a theme that enchants us. To of making something immensely ordinary, a form we all know, do the com- always astonish an ever-critical audience. Such is the creativity that distin- pletely extraordinary. Transforming the commonplace. guishes a true magician. THE PRINCESS OF THE SKIES

Stylish and elegant: upholding a proud, high-flying heritage. This is surely the most famous balancing act of them all. But beware! Seduced by its sheer magnificence, the audience can sometimes find themselves becom- ing indifferent. Innovation must always flourish. Flirting with equilibrium is the very essence of . HILARIOUS HUBERT! THE FLYING BODONI BROTHERS

“Dying is easy. Comedy is hard”, as the old actor moaned on his death- Never give up. Try again and again. To achieve that amazing extra spin bed. And humour is a very serious business indeed. Many feel the calling that makes the audience scream with delight, there’s no easy path. Once but amazingly few can get it right. It’s that small detail, shout or gesture that the big top has emptied, and their circus cronies are playing cards in the somehow hits the spot and brings a smile to our face. So don’t be afraid of caravans, the Bodoni Brothers are back up there on the trapeze once again: the – every circus needs one. experimenting with a new idea. YEARS OF GREAT SHOWS

Skånetrafiken, corporate identity 2007 Pucko Apelsin, packaging design. Awarded at Cannes 2008 overleaf: Old Gold Spendrups, packaging design 2009

Gyttorp, corporate identity and packaging design. Two awards at The One Show 2010 Swedish Institute, Swedish creativity goes worldwide, corporate identity. Awarded at D&AD 2011 NEUMEISTER.SE

Words by: Tor Bergman Art direction by: Sonya Dyakova Illustrations by: Jonas Bergstrand STOCKHOLM