During the Q&A session following Tuesday's performance by Diavolo, an audience member noted all the new members of the corps. He wondered whether "some of the recent people were there to replace casualties."

The audience laughed, but it's a valid point: Diavolo's show has its share of risks, what with dancers diving onto and jettisoning off moving objects made of metal and wood to land on the floor in rolling maneuvers, or, more precariously, into the arms of others. The cast stomps, tumbles and hurls around these contraptions, carefully navigating poles and panels in ways that require expert timing to avert calamity. Certain actions drew audible gasps from the audience. Yes, it makes sense that Diavolo's artistic director Jacques Heim calls his company members gladiators.

In "Trajectoire" the ensemble cavorts atop, beneath and aside a large semi-circular structure intended to represent a ship at sea. The platform rocks, softly at first, then violently. It's at that point, with performers lying underneath just a skosh far enough away to avert being squished, that a genuine sense of danger is conveyed. This pull-out-the-stops work includes dance sequences done while the platform pitches so hard and high that performers hang from panels akin to flags in the breeze, or else slide off the edges.

In "Humachina" the cast also grapples with swaying objects; here they're wedges built of metal pipes. At first individuals and pairs playfully riff on the seesaw action. When the pieces are put together to create a huge wheel, the cast initially treats it like a monster jungle gym; however, as things progress, they must figure out how to manage its motion and maintain control or else the wheel will roll away.

For the poetic "Phantome" a man (David Zibalese) gracefully explores a doorway, curling his body around the frame, gently opening and closing the door while passing back and forth from one side to the other. His moves suggest interior struggle while what the door represents is unclear. A goal to be reached? His own mortality?

The answer lies in the eye of the beholder. And that's how it is with all of Diavolo's pieces, which offer metaphors about overcoming odds, self- actualization, teamwork, man vs. machine and more. It's abstract expression relayed through dramatic athleticism, not to mention one heck of a thrill ride.