CIRCUS OZ--AUTRAILIA

Wizards of Circus Oz bring magic to the Maj


ZANY: Pole dancing Circus Oz-style.
Source: PerthNow
from: heraldsun.com.au
Review: Lisa Quartermain•PerthNow•
August 30, 2013
THERE'S no end to some people's talents. Like juggling five balls with one's feet. Spinning a coffee table on one's toes. Playing a musical instrument one-handed.
Or tight-rope walking. Or squishing oneself inside an esky and emerging cat-like, walking around on your hands. Or just doing backflips . . .
It's these zany tricks that are on display in abundance by the 12 Australian acrobats/musicians/performers in Circus Oz, now playing at His Majesty's Theatre.

 

LEAN ON ME: Some of the cast of Circus Oz.
Source: PerthNow
From the Ground Up is set on a big-city construction site - juxtaposed with the elaborate ceilings and inner surrounds of The Maj - and begins with a limousine-length piano suspended three quarters above the stage.
As the mid-air pianist hits the notes, the shenanigans unfold, including bizarre pole-dancing - imagine a burly bloke in a pinafore dress slithering up a pole and suspending himself sideways as sexy jazz music is performed live. That's Circus Oz.
There's a crooning construction cowboy, magic tricks aplenty and some memorable antics from the standout character  of "I-love-myself'' Des who unashamedly tells us he's so hot and "like the sun. Beautiful to look at, but going to hurt you in the end''.
What could be better than watching the mullet-haired comic Des spinning a baton at electric speed? Des spinning two batons at electric speed - then repeating the process in slow-mo!
Circus Oz is fast-paced, loads of fun and a blend of unpredictable and standard acrobatics. It pays homage to indigenous Australians and even tries to get the audience thinking about "constructing'' a sense of community.
There were a few mistakes, as might be expected in the juggling sequences, but all's quickly forgiven as the show goes on and more eye-popping tricks abound.
The live music was integral to the Circus Oz experience. Just about every genre and instrument - jazz, rock, blues, disco, big brass - cleverly setting the scene. The unique bit: the musos and acrobats were one.
Roll up, roll up - because the limited-season Circus Oz finishes in Perth on Saturday night. Tickets available through Ticketek