From cabaret to comedy, music to dance, theatre to the visual arts and a lot more, diversity is the key to the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival. That was on display at the opening night gala at the Capitol Theatre, which gave us a taste of the almost 500-strong show lineup in this, the festival’s 43rd…
New York-bound Circus Oz bring daring feats of athleticism and strength, as well as laughter to Melbourne Town Hall. They enjoy clowning around to entertain an appreciative audience, but these artistes – short and tall – are seriously good at the circus arts. As someone who has been fortunate to see many circus shows, there…
MARVELous The Show is an irreverent, R-rated, musical parody of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that has fans squealing with delight. It is risqué, comedic and delightfully silly and showcases familiar MARVEL costuming with a twist, rock and pop music, dance numbers, stunts, magic and aerial acts. It is a cross between cabaret and circus. A…
The all-ages spectacular of Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA promises an imaginary flight to Mexico. And from the moment our traveller clown (Eric Koller) parachutes falls to its marigold field Earth, it’s clear we are in for quite the impressive journey. From his first encounter with a colourful hummingbird to final high-flying acrobatics, the combination of…
The title LIMBO – The Return may imply more of the same sort of circus stuff as seen in previous Strut & Fret works. However, the reality is far from it with this 100-minute show. Indeed, having toured 17 countries, the original award-winning LIMBO has come back, re-imagined and more jaw-dropping than ever, full of…
Slick, Cirque Bon Bon is a lively and most entertaining showcase of the circus arts. Its very funny front man is an ardent fan of Queen and Freddie Mercury. In fact, the music (and spot lighting) in this production are among its many highlights, led by a gifted cast of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, contortionists and…
The “wow” factor is significant in The Great Moscow Circus Extreme, which introduces a number of a dare devil acts I’d never seen before in circus. There is much to savour, delight in and marvel at. From hilarious clowning, high flying aerialists and two-wheel tricksters to spectacular trampolining, pole heroics and springboard spectacle – it is all…
Prepare to be mesmerised. Cirque du Soleil continues to lift the bar with its latest show – its 38th original production – LUZIA. The name LUZIA is a combination of the Spanish words for light and rain. Mind you, there is no raining on this parade of the extraordinary. LUZIA, the show, marks the first time in Cirque…
It’s a case of feathers meeting fluro when performers in Polytoxic’s new work, Dangerous Goods, initially ensemble in movement of feathered fans to ‘light our fire’. Continuing with theme of the collective’s 2021 Brisfest show, Demolition, the fluro comes from the hi-vis tradie uniform costumes… and also the more revealing hints from beneath them. It’s…
Deliciously absurdist, The Long Pigs is one of the cleverest, most creative shows of the year. The three artists on stage – Clare Bartholomew, Nicci Wilks and Mozes – adhere to the adage that actions speaks louder than words. Very few words are spoken. Some sounds are made and the eclectic music bed is triumphant. As you…
