Renowned contemporary circus company Ockham’s Razor bring new show Collaborator to Lowry, Salford from 5–7 February 2026

Collaborator, the new show by Ockham’s Razor, produced by Turtle Key Arts, comes to Lowry, Salford from 5th–7th February; the first chance for audiences outside London to see this new work following its premiere at the London Mime Festival.

This intimate aerial duet, performed by Co-Artistic Directors Charlotte Mooney and Alex Harvey, explores the trials and tribulations of working with someone else. Irreverent, highly physical and heartfelt, it dives into the negotiations, compromises and creativity that shape a relationship.

After decades of creating large-scale ensemble works and touring internationally, Collaborator marks a significant moment for Ockham’s Razor, showcasing its two founders, it brings the focus back to the essential creative relationship between these two artists. Performed on a suspended metal frame the show features choreography by Nathan Johnson and costume design by Tina Bicât.

Charlotte and Alex comment “For 20 years we have been making circus together. Lifting, catching and carrying; stepping on and around each other. We have been dropped and have picked each other up. This new intimate duet is for anyone who has ever tried to make something with someone else: a decision, a work of art, a life.”

Steve Cowton Head of Theatre’s at Lowry said “Ockham’s Razor remain one of our key Partner Companies – and occupy a unique and inspirational place among contemporary circus in this country. As they celebrate Twenty Years of working together, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome this intimate and extraordinary show to Lowry”

Although Collaborator is their story, maybe you’ll find it’s yours too with a shared understanding of the balance, trust and frustration that goes into partnership.

This will be the final time to see Charlotte and Alex perform as a duo and this performance presents a distilled statement of their shared history, artistic trust and the many decisions, compromises and collaborations that have shaped their practice together.

Uniquely, Ockham’s Razor are opening the door to their rehearsals across four days of the process, inviting audiences emerging performers, makers, producers and students of circus or physical theatre, to witness the live devising process of our new show Collaborator. This free opportunity offers an incredible sneak peek at one of the UK’s leading circus companies practices.

Ockham’s Razor has earned an international reputation by mounting ambitious, visually bold productions that blend aerial theatre with sculptural equipment and theatrical storytelling. Collaborator pares things back but with the same rigour, inventiveness and emotional weight for which the company is known. By returning to duo form, Mooney and Harvey allow the apparatus, trust and lived history between them to become the central narrative.

They’re a company whose work is often full of joy, wonder and delight – The Guardian.

Ockham’s Razor produced by Turtle Key Arts present Collaborator, funded by Arts Council England and N Smith Charitable Settlement in association with MimeLondon and Lowry, Salford. Supported by artsdepot, Proteus Theatre and Flying Fantastic. Ockham’s Razor is a Lowry Partner Company.

Ockham’s Razor: Collaborator plays at The Lowry, Salford 5th – 7th February. Tickets are available here.