But wait! It's a circus
Circus Oz big top media call-Circus Oz will save your soul featuring Candy Bowers (left).
Photo: Joe Armao
From: smh.com.au
Reviewed by Chloe Smethurst
June 20, 2014
But Wait… There’s More! 3.5 stars
Circus Oz
Under the Big Top at Birrarung Marr
Until July 13
Circus Oz has recruited a whole bunch of new faces for its latest season of acrobatic shenanigans. While veterans Matt Wilson and Scott Hone have returned after several years' absence, only Dale Woodbridge-Brown and musical director Ania Reynolds remain from last year's cast.
Designed by Felipe Reynolds, the gorgeous set resembles a crumbling theatre, a fitting frame for a show bent on critiquing consumerism. Director Deb Batton manages to tie many of the assorted acts together with the help of Laurel Frank's barcode-inspired costumes.
Candy Bowers takes on the MC position with mixed success. She's a strong presence, but on opening night much of her rapping was unclear. Not so for Lilikoi Kaos, whose larger-than-life attitude transcends all communication barriers. With fierce red hair, sequined leopard-print bikini and glittering high heels, she storms about wielding hoops and knives.
Multi-talented partners April Dawson and Kyle Raftery are a terrific inclusion, thrilling audiences with their sky-high unicycle adagio act and graceful swinging trapeze.
Nathan Kell's hoop-diving skit sees him plunging into virtual reality through a television screen, battling smoke rings and imaginary foes.
Wilson plays a pivotal role, satirising the "buy more stuff" mentality and the shallowness of reality TV.
But it's Olivia Porter who is most interesting, a silent clown for most of the show, she finally transforms, bursting into a feverish contemporary juggling solo.
Combining slapstick with cultural awareness and slick production values with some really strong circus skills, Circus Oz knows what its about.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/stage/but-wait-its-a-circus-20140620-zsfrh.html#ixzz35D3eqNLa
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