Although it is a very popular gymnastic exercise in Germany, Quidam makes the German wheel look like a game. The wheel, two metres in circumference, consists of two metal hoops joined at six points. The performer rolls, turns and spins the wheel while nonchalantly performing gravity-defying somersaults and acrobatics. Fascinated, spectators observing this strange pair wonder whether wheel or acrobat is in control. Are they adversaries or allies? The mystery remains unsolved.

Stunned as her family is carried away, the Les Chiennes Blanches invade and criss-cross the room, a “clown” hands Zoe a balloon, and we are introduced to our young heroine’s guides into this fantastical world: the purple-suited “John,” whom we’ve already met, and “Target”, an always-smiling impish character (conspicuously clothed in the same swirled design as the carpet on the family’s floor.) And while Target’s playful tumbles catches Zoë’s eye, John saunters over and puts the Father’s shoes on – taking his place and setting into motion the dizzying twists of the German Wheel.

Developed by Austrian-born Otto Feick in 1926 as a gymnastic exercise device, the 110 pound wheel looks more like a game. It wasn’t until notable French artist HyacintheReisch created an act for the wheel in 1989 that the discipline that we know today was born. The wheel, two meters in circumference, consists of two metal hoops joined at six points, inside which the acrobat stands and uses his own impetus to propel the wheel, whirling and performing acrobatics while defying the laws of gravity.

The Wheel rolls into place in what was the living room, and the artist nonchalantly carries it through a series of rolls, twists, turns and spins that defy explanation. It flips from side to side, and returns to a straight vertical. It rolls across the stage at dizzying speeds. He guides this huge apparatus through varying tricks in a display of athleticism unlike anything seen before - some even with his hands held calmly behind his back. Fascinated, spectators observing this strange pair wonder whether wheel or acrobat is in control. Are they adversaries or allies? The mystery remains unsolved.